Brexit: challenges and opportunities
Britain has the chance to become a ‘benchmark for animal health and welfare’ but must ensure benefits are retained
BRITAIN’S departure from the EU could mean opportunities for the equestrian and veterinary sectors, but challenges lie ahead, it has been claimed.
In a “Brexit barometer” report, the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) “sets out the opportunities as we see them and highlights the current mood”.
The aim was to bring together feedback and opinions from member bodies and stakeholders.
At a Brexit conference in May, 35% of these attendees said they felt optimistic or very optimistic about the future of the industry, whereas 25% felt pessimistic.
The body said the UK “can be the benchmark for animal health and welfare on a global stage — setting progressive, flexible and innovative legislation for animal movement, live exports and slaughter and product registration”. It said other opportunities include the chance for the UK to become a global centre for veterinary research and development, to trade with the rest of the world and to provide improved education, for example on managing antibiotic use.
NOAH has called on the government to take action in key areas (see box, right).
The British Equestrian Veterinary Association (BEVA) is “encouraged by NOAH’s ambition that the UK can maintain its position as a global leader in animal health and welfare”.
“The UK pharmaceutical industry has delivered huge benefits for animal welfare through significant investment in development and licensing new medicines and promoting responsible antibiotic and anthelmintic use,” BEVA senior vice-president Mark Bowen told H&H. “Veterinary medicines availability remains a priority for BEVA in relation to Brexit to ensure we retain access to those medicines. Importantly we need to ensure the UK retains its position at the forefront of the development of medicines for horses and that as the UK exits the European Medicines Agency, we still have access to the most modern veterinary medicines.”
World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said the UK’s current commitment to high standards of equine welfare, including the recent pledge to introduce mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses (news, 17 August) is “welcome and encouraging”.
“However, as around 80% of animal health and welfare law originates in the EU, the immediate priority will be to ensure standards are maintained,” he added. “This includes retaining access to arrangements protecting equines, such as the trade control and export system (TRACES) which enables states to track all movements of animals into and out of the UK, and is invaluable when animals have to be traced as a result of a disease outbreak.”
NEXT PRIORITIES
“ONCE we exit the EU, the next priority will be looking for opportunities for improvements, including to export and import enforcement while ensuring no impact on legitimate horse movements,” Mr Owers added.
British Equestrian Trade Association executive director Claire Williams said the business situation is similar to NOAH’s.
“Our response, not formally canvassed yet, reflects similar challenges and opportunities,” she told H&H. “We’ll be able to build on the strong reputation of our equestrian manufacturing sector, in being a leader in innovation and design. In the area of standards too, it will be key to protect and develop these in key areas such as safety and feed that are recognised internationally.
“Until market access issues are further clarified there will be uncertainty around exports although the weakening of the pound gives exporters a stronger hand at the moment.”