Animal welfare standards ‘overwhelmingly reliant’ on EU nationals
2 min read
There is “undeniable concern” that leaving the European Union will damage the UK’s animal welfare standards, a Lords committee has said.
The group of peers highlighted the “overwhelming” reliance of the industry on EU nationals, since 90% of veterinary surgeons and 75% of abattoir workers are EU workers.
The Lords EU Environment Committee urged the Government to include high farm welfare standards in any trade agreements negotiated post-Brexit and said there was no reason quality should slip after the UK leaves the bloc.
It warned vets play a vital role in making sure animals are killed humanely and this could be put at risk if their status in the UK was not secured.
The report comes after No 10 and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox refused to rule out changing the rules to allow the importation of chlorinated chicken from the US as part of a trade deal with the UK.
Chair of the committee Lord Teverson said: “We see no reason why Brexit should diminish animal welfare standards, as long as the Government is aware of the challenges ahead and acts accordingly.”
But he continued: “We heard evidence of undeniable concern that opening up the UK market to free global trade poses a number of issues.
“We heard overwhelming support for farm animal welfare standards to be maintained or improved.
“To help achieve that, we urge the Government to secure the inclusion of high farm animal welfare standards in any free trade agreements it negotiates after Brexit.”
In response to the report, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Leaving the EU provides us with an opportunity to develop gold standard policies on animal welfare.
“We are determined to get a good Brexit deal for Britain, and we have been absolutely clear we will maintain our world-leading animal welfare standards.”
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