(South Scotland)
(SNP):
I wanted to amend the motion, because the Government has
expressed its preference that animals be killed as close to their
farm of origin as possible. The motion says that in 2017,
“3,073 sheep, 5,595 calves and 661 cattle were
exported from Scotland”,
but I was told yesterday by my contact
at NFU Scotland that 2,700 of the 38,700
male dairy calves that were registered in Scotland were
transported, so there are some interesting numbers that might not
reflect reality. Many dairy farmers whom I have spoken to locally
move their bull calves to other farms in Scotland to be reared,
so I would like to see some figures that accurately reflect what
is happening...
...Yesterday, I spoke to Gary Mitchell, who is the
vice-president of NFU Scotland, which is absolutely
committed to engaging on the issue. He will attend a meeting
tomorrow to discuss the issues and, following that, I will seek
to learn about the discussion at that meeting from Gary. I take
the opportunity to support NFU Scotland’s call for any
decision on transportation of animals being made on the basis of
evidence and science. I urge the Scottish Government to explore
the possibility of mobile abattoirs, which might benefit
everybody, including with regard to the issue of transporting
live animals...
(North East Scotland)
(Con):
I note my entry in the register of
members’ interests as a partner in a farming business and as a
member of NFU Scotland. In my farming business, we
had a dairy herd for a long number of years. We do not have it
now; we have a suckler cow herd...
...Scotland could have a different policy. It is okay for
Mr Smyth to say that nobody is suggesting that we should not
shift livestock off the islands, but some people would suggest
that, if we ban exporting live animals across the Channel, that
would be the next logical step.
The NFUS has stated that, although live exports
are a
“very small part of the Scottish trade, the
option of well managed and regulated exports should be
retained”.
What NFU Scotland said is particularly important as we move closer
to Brexit. At this crucial time, the last thing that we need is
to close down potential export opportunities to mainland
Europe. Many Scottish farmers are already struggling, and the
latest farming income figures show just how poor returns are
for the farming industry. The last thing that we need is to put
in place another economic disadvantage...
The Minister for Rural Affairs
and the Natural Environment (Mairi
Gougeon):
...I mentioned that I have started making visits. I have a
programme of visits over the coming weeks, including a visit to
the Ethical Dairy. I have met NFUS and Quality Meat Scotland to discuss the
issue and will soon meet OneKind and Compassion in World Farming
to discuss it...
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