The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has responded to
today’s introduction of the Agriculture
Bill.
The long-awaited Bill, which will now start to progress
through Parliament, sets out a blueprint for the future of
farming in England after the UK leaves the EU and will no longer
adhere to the Common Agricultural Policy. Among other measures,
it pledges to reward farmers and land managers with public money
for public goods, including higher animal welfare standards,
measures to protect wildlife and biodiversity, and actions to
adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Commenting, BVA President Daniella Dos Santos
said:
“We are pleased to see that animal health and welfare gets
the prominence it deserves in this long-awaited Bill. We are
rightly recognised as a world leader for our animal welfare
standards, so measures that incentivise industry to both maintain
and enhance those standards are very positive and put the country
on a firm footing as we build future trade links. It will be
really important for strong commitments to animal health and
welfare to be replicated in the devolved administrations as
legislation is developed across the UK and to coordinate
throughout the UK food chain.
“BVA stands with the wider farming industry in pushing for
assurances that imports produced to lower animal health and
welfare standards will not be accepted as part of future trade
deals. There must be no mixed messages. The UK cannot commit to
raising the bar domestically while allowing in goods that don’t
meet the high standards that British consumers rightly want and
expect.
“Vets play a crucial role in monitoring and enhancing
animal health and welfare and food safety in UK agriculture, from
the farm-gate through to trade certification and border checks.
It’s vital that the Government uses the veterinary profession’s
expertise as the Bill is shaped and delivered. BVA will continue
to make sure that vets have a strong voice as this landmark
legislation passes through Parliament.”
