CHEAP IMPORTED FOOD COULD THREATEN FARM ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS AFTER BREXIT, LORDS REPORT WARNS

CHEAP IMPORTED FOOD COULD THREATEN FARM ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS
AFTER BREXIT, LORDS REPORT WARNS

THE HOUSE OF LORDS EU ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT SUB-COMMITTEE HAS TODAY
PUBLISHED ITS REPORT _BREXIT: FARM ANIMAL WELFARE. _THE COMMITTEE
WARNS THAT A POTENTIAL INCREASE IN IMPORTS FROM COUNTRIES OPERATING
LOWER FARM ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS COULD PUT UK PRODUCERS AT A
COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE AFTER BREXIT.

The Committee heard evidence that the greatest threat to farm animal
welfare standards post-Brexit would come from UK farmers competing
against cheap, imported food from countries that produce to lower
standards than the UK. The Government’s wish for the UK to become a
global leader in free trade is not necessarily compatible with its
desire to maintain high animal welfare standards.

The demand for high-welfare products is ultimately driven by whether
consumers prioritise purchasing those products, at added cost, rather
than buying cheaper, lower-welfare products. The Committee found that
consumers are not always aware of the difference between production
systems or willing to pay a higher price for premium welfare products.
THIS COULD EXACERBATE THE CHALLENGE TO UK FARMERS’ COMPETITIVENESS
ARISING FROM A POTENTIAL INCREASE IN CHEAPER IMPORTS PRODUCED TO LOWER
WELFARE STANDARDS.

The report also examines whether the UK will have access to the staff
needed on farms and in abattoirs after Brexit. The report finds that
there is an OVERWHELMING RELIANCE ON NON-UK EU CITIZENS TO FILL
CRUCIAL OFFICIAL VETERINARY POSITIONS IN THE UK, whilst the
agricultural sector employs significant numbers of temporary and
permanent farm workers. THE COMMITTEE CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO
ENSURE THAT THE INDUSTRY IS ABLE TO RETAIN OR RECRUIT QUALIFIED STAFF
TO FILL THESE ROLES POST-BREXIT.

LORD TEVERSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE EU ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
SUB-COMMITTEE, SAID:

“The UK has some of the highest farm animal welfare standards in the
world and UK producers are rightly proud of those. We see no reason
why Brexit should diminish those, as long as the Government is aware
of the challenges ahead and acts accordingly.

“We heard evidence of undeniable concern that opening up the UK
market to free global trade poses a number of issues. As we said in
our last report, _Brexit: agriculture_, the Government may find it
hard to reconcile its free trade ambitions with its commendable desire
for preserving high farm animal welfare standards.

“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.

“Whilst Brexit provides the UK with the unique opportunity to review
and potentially improve farm animal welfare standards, the Government
will need to consider the effect of increasing standards on the
competitiveness of UK producers as well the future trading
relationship with the EU”.

EMBARGOED COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA FROM
THE LORDS PRESS OFFICE ON MONDAY 24 JULY EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 ON
TUESDAY 25 JULY 2017.

TO REQUEST A COPY, OR BID FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH LORD TEVERSON, THE
CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE, PLEASE EMAIL LORDSPRESSOFFICE@PARLIAMENT.UK [4]
OR CALL 020 7219 8535.