Scottish animal transport fears

Proposals in two major government consultations on animal transport would have a devastating impact on Scotland’s red meat supply chain, it was claimed yesterday.

Prohibiting transport when external temperatures fall below five degrees would effectively rule out transport from November to March in Scotland, said Qualitymeatscotlandchair, Kate Rowell.

Rowell, who heads up the Scottish Red Meat Resilience Group which represents all sectors of the supply chain,alsopointedoutthatlack of capacity meant many sheep and pigs born in Scotland are slaughtered south of the border – so both Scottish and the English legislation would have to be observed.

The trade in livestock based around the flow of calves and lambsfromuplandareastofinishing units on better ground, often via auction marts, is also a vital component of Scotland’s traditional farming systems.

Rowell said that restriction of live exports would adversely affect the Scottish islands, as a significant number of livestock movetothemainlandeachyear for finishing.

Accordingtoscottishgovernment regional census data for June 2020, nearly 825,000 sheep and 125,000 cattle on Scotland’s islands would be impacted.

“In Scotland we operate under some of the highest animal welfare standards intheworld,”addedrowell.

“Our whole-of-life wholechain assurance schemes, which are supported and approved by the SPCA means that farmers, hauliers, auction marts, processors and feed merchants must adhere to standards to ensure the best quality of life for animals throughout the supply chain.”