Pressure Required on Live Export Ban
SCOTLAND - NFU Scotland has written to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, to stress the urgent need for a lifting of the EU ban on live exports from Great Britain; a ban which threatens to cost the Scottish dairy industry alone over a million pounds.
21 November 2007
2 minute read
The lifting of meat export controls in most of GB at the start of the week has been a hugely significant step towards normality following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey. However, live exports remain banned and the proposed date of their resumption, 1 January 2008, has been described as unacceptable by NFUS.
Around 1000 bull calves a week are being prevented from going abroad. At a value of £40 a head, plus around £8 for disposal, there is a severe cost to the industry.
NFUS Vice President Stewart Wood
The Union is urging Mr Lochhead to work closely with his Defra colleagues to press for an earlier decision from the Brussels’ veterinary committee (SCoFCAH).
NFUS Vice President Stewart Wood said:
“Scotland has a long-established export trade in live sheep and high value pigs. Following the lifting of the ban on British beef following BSE last year, there has also been a significant and growing trade in the export of pedigree cattle, dairy bull calves and older cows from Scotland. We desperately need this trade to resume to help us get out of the crisis caused by the FMD outbreak.
“The dairy sector provides one example of the financial damage being caused. Around 1000 bull calves a week are being prevented from going abroad. At a value of £40 a head, plus around £8 for disposal, there is a severe cost to the industry. The bill for this ban already sits at over £700,000 and will rise to over a million pounds if we have to wait until 1 January before it is lifted. Given this outbreak was not of farmers making, but the direct result of lapses on a government site, working to alleviate restrictions must be the highest priority for Ministers.
“We require the Cabinet Secretary and officials to work with their Defra counterparts in making a strong case to Scofcah for an earlier resumption of the live trade.”
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