Post-Brexit ban on live exports a ‘massive own goal’ says FUW
AGOVERNMENT consultation on proposals to ban the overseas export of animals for slaughter post-Brexit is still open
However, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has warned that, if implemented, it would be a “remarkably shortsighted” move and a “massive own goal” for the industry in Wales, given the uncertainty over a post-Brexit trade deal and agricultural tariffs.
The proposals, driven by the UK Government, relate only to the export of animals for slaughter and not to the banning of live animal exports for production or breeding.
While a ban on live animal exports is not currently possible due to EU free trade rules, a ban could be introduced once the UK leaves the EU.
The Welsh Government has also agreed to work with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to consider how existing transport welfare standards can be strengthened and to support further research in this area.
Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, said: “As a government, we are committed to ensuring high standards of welfare for all animals kept in Wales and our position on live exports for slaughter is clear.
“We would prefer for animals to be slaughtered as close as practicable to their point of production and consider a trade in meat and meat products to be preferable to long-distance transport of animals to slaughter.
“That is why we are supporting the call for evidence on a UK-wide ban on the export of live animals for overseas slaughter.
“Whilst there is likely to be public support for a ban on live exports for slaughter, it is important to recognise the trade is currently lawful and a ban is unlikely to be welcomed by all.
“The livestock industry and the sheep sector in Wales, for example, are likely to have mixed views, particularly given the uncertainty around our future trading relationship with the EU.
“I encourage the public, the agriculture industry, partners and anyone with an interest in animal welfare to get involved and share their views with us on this important issue.
“I have also agreed to work with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to see how the protection of animal welfare during transport can be strengthened and to support further research in this area.
“I look forward to receiving the recommendations from both in due course.”
However, FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “We will naturally be consulting with members over this issue, but our current position is that it would be remarkably shortsighted to introduce a ban on live exports at the same time as massive tariffs on meat exports to the EU might be introduced.”
Mr Roberts said such a ban could cut off an essential lifeline for sheep farmers, given tariffs of around 50% of product value could apply on meat once we leave the EU, and that this would collapse the trade in sheep meat exports, which currently represents around a third of Welsh lamb sales.
He added: “We fully appreciate people’s concerns about live exports, but we must bear in mind that the EU has legal welfare standards which are the highest in the world and these apply both here and on mainland Europe.”
Responding to a similar proposal earlier this year, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Rual Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing, said: “Let me be absolutely clear, this is one UK-wide framework the Scottish Government will not be participating in. I will not support anything that creates further challenges or difficulty for our farming sector or puts Scottish agriculture at a disadvantage.
“The Scottish Government will therefore not support the banning of live exports of livestock, but will remain committed to the welfare of all animals during transport, adhering to the current rigorous standards which apply – standards and regulations provided by the EU, that are already world-class and protect us all through animal, plant and chemical health measures and enabling our produce to be traded around the world.”
Mr Roberts said the concerns surrounding the proposals in Scotland were identical to those in Wales, and that any such ban would be a “massive own-goal”.
NFU Cymru livestock board chairman Wyn Evans said: “We will study the Government’s announcement carefully and respond in due course.
“Animal welfare is a top priority for livestock farmers and we are proud to have some of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world. These include protecting livestock during transport – the live export of animals operates under stringent EU animal welfare regulations which sets out strict standards for the vehicles used, limits journey times and builds in frequent rest stops as required. It provides a legitimate and safe way to move livestock and is not a health nor a welfare issue if properly controlled.
“NFU Cymru is currently working with the rest of the livestock industry in the UK to further enhance and regulate these standards, beyond current EU rules.
“We have designed – and want to work with Government to deliver – a full live export scheme to ensure our high standards of welfare apply across borders. We believe this proposed scheme would present additional assurances to the public that animal welfare is of the utmost priority during transport.”
The consultation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs closes on May 22.