Helping UK farmers to reach higher welfare standards must
go hand in hand with restricting imports on farm animal products
produced to lower welfare standards, urges the RSPCA.
The animal charity was giving evidence at the Agriculture
Bill Committee today (Tuesday 12 February) against the prospect
of trade deals allowing food imports which would be illegal to
produce in the UK
David Bowles, assistant director of public affairs at the
RSPCA, said afterwards: “While the RSPCA is delighted the
Government will be supporting farmers to reach higher welfare
standards, it’s essential that restrictions on lower welfare
imports are written into the Bills at the same time.
“Without that control, we’ll be letting in cheaper imports
produced to lower welfare standards than are allowed in the UK -
and that would threaten British farmers’ livelihoods as well as
putting imported low welfare animal products on supermarket
shelves.
“For example, 55% of the pork and bacon we eat is imported.
The USA still uses sow stalls (illegal in the UK), so if we
import pig products from there, we’ll be opening up the door to
cheaper imports which are produced to far lower welfare
standards. That’s not what the consumer
wants.”
The RSPCA hopes the farm support system will provide
farmers through one-off capital grants to ensure they can deliver
higher welfare standards.
Bowles continued: “As an example, providing rubber matting
would reduce lameness in cattle and potentially trials for
this could start within a year. It’s a win, win, bringing
benefits to animals and the environment”.
“This is a very exciting time for farmers. Not only are
there particular opportunities to establish base welfare
standards in markets for sheep, chicken, beef and dairy, but also
in other areas. For example 0% of ducks have access to full
body water, it’s a tragedy for ducks in the UK.
”As we find ourselves at a crossroads of animal welfare, it
is so important we get this right to safeguard our farmers and to
ensure the public can continue to access food produced to high
welfare standards.”
To safeguard animal welfare standards take action today
- https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/farmanimals
