The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed today’s
(Thursday 3rd December) announcement that the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will
begin an eight-week long consultation in England and Wales
seeking views on live animals export and how to better protect
animal welfare during transport.
While BVA is not calling for a complete ban on live animal
exports, in its policy on the
welfare of livestock during transport, BVA states that
animals should be slaughtered as close to the point of production
as possible and that no animals farmed for food in the UK should
be taken to destinations where welfare standards are below the UK
minimum, exported for non-stun slaughter or exported and then
raised in systems banned in this country.
BVA President, James Russell said:
“BVA has long believed that animals should be slaughtered as
close as possible to where they have been reared and not be
exported to countries with unknown standards or standards that
are below those in the UK. We welcome this consultation looking
at all aspects of animal welfare at transport.
“Live animal transport is a complex issue which includes varying
factors of welfare and needs of different species. It is
important to recognise that journey length and time are not the
only things which can affect welfare, and that an evidence-based
approach to improvements is essential.
“We regularly engage with Government on measures to safeguard
animal welfare during transport, and recently gave evidence to
the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC), on the issue. We will
be liaising with our species, specific divisions, and members to
form a response to this consultation.”
