BVA applauds Lords green light for animal welfare clause

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the approval given this week by the House of Lords for a crucial clause in the new Agriculture Bill which imposes a requirement for agricultural and food imports to the UK to meet domestic standards.

In a session of Tuesday night (September 22),  peers debated and voted on several amendments that would require imports to meet high animal welfare standards, and one placing a duty on the state to have due regard for animal sentience in policy development.

Amendment 93 on food standards, which was tabled by Lord Grantchester, Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, Lord Krebs & Baroness Boycott, was voted through, defeating the Government by 95 votes.

The Association, which represents more than 18,000 vets across the UK, has previously urged the government not to allow animal welfare standards to be compromised in pursuit of future trade deals.

The BVA’s newly installed president, farm vet James Russell, labelled the news as ‘a huge win’ for animal welfare and a ‘decisive vote of confidence’ in the farming industry across the UK:

‘We have long argued that the UK cannot commit to raising the bar domestically while allowing in goods that don’t meet the high standards that British consumers rightly want and expect,’ said Mr Russell.

‘Hopes had been pinned on the House of Lords to hold the government to account and question how allowing in lower quality imports could possibly enable them to honour their manifesto commitment to maintain and improve on animal health and welfare standards. As vets, we are delighted that peers delivered the right result last night and it is essential that the government listens.’