Sheep slaughter concerns in event of Brexit disruption
THERE is alarm in Welsh farming circles at a claim Whitehall officials are discussing a plan for the “mass slaughter” of sheep en route to the EU if a no-deal Brexit leads to delays or closures at ports.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales warned it would “truly reckless” to allow such a “horrific” Brexit outcome and called for the two-year period of EU negotiations – due to come to an end on March 29 – to be extended.
The Times reported that “sensitive discussions” are under way in Downing St and in Government departments about what to do with livestock if there is disruption at ports.
Stating that 2016 figures show more than 4,000 sheep are transported to Europe for slaughter each year, it quoted a Whitehall source saying: “The thing worrying some in No.10 is the discussion prompted by Clare Moriarty [permanent secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] about what to do, and whether we would need to have mass slaughter of such animals en route to slaughterhouses in the EU. It’s the kind of thing they think unlikely but they also know the consequence for failing to plan would be terrible.”
Glyn Roberts, the president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, did not hide his dismay at this scenario, saying: “It is of course right for Whitehall and other administrations to make contingency plans for worst case scenarios – in fact we have lobbied Government to undertake contingency planning since June 2016. However, it would be truly reckless of our Whitehall is considering emergency plans for the mass slaughter of sheep en route to slaughterhouses in the EU if no-deal Brexit chaos blocks the ports Government and Parliament to choose an option which led to such horrific outcomes in terms of medical and veterinary supplies or animals having to be slaughtered, and widespread disruption with dire economic impacts.
“It is for this reason that we asked Theresa May when we met with her in the summer to seek an agreement with the EU on extending the Article 50 period, which is possible under the Lisbon Treaty.”
The NFU union described the discussions as a “wake up call” that highlighted the need for a Brexit deal.
Wyn Evans, who chairs NFU Cymru’s livestock board, said: “Whilst we understand that the Government has to make contingency plans for every possible scenario in the event of a no-deal Brexit, this is just another stark reminder of the possible consequences of a no-deal. We would hope that whatever happens on Brexit day this scenario would never arise, however it should be a further wake up call for our Government negotiators to ensure that the UK comes to a reasonable deal with the EU; one that will allow us to continue to trade freely with our closest and most significant market.”
A spokeswoman for the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs insisted that a deal is likely to be reached.
She said: “It is in everyone’s interests to secure a good deal with the EU and we are confident that we’ll reach that this autumn.
“We are of course also preparing for the possibility of no deal, but there is no suggestion that under any future scenario there will be a need for the slaughter of animals at the border.”