Recommendations & Conclusions
18 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
The Committee sees the introduction of this new regulation as an important step in preventing pet smuggling and is pleased the Government has acted on our recommendation.
Government response AI summary
The government confirms it takes pet smuggling seriously and elaborates on the actions it has taken or is taking, including the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill and the intention to introduce a ban on the movement of heavily pregnant dogs, to prevent …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
2
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ban the import of pets younger than six-months-old, heavily pregnant pets, and pets that have been subject to poor animal welfare practices. We recognise the argument that ministers should be able to adapt regulations as science and intelligence evolve. However, we see no future …
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We welcome the Government’s commitment to ban the import of pets younger than six-months-old, heavily pregnant pets, and pets that have been subject to poor animal welfare practices. We recognise the argument that ministers should be able to adapt regulations as science and intelligence evolve. However, we see no future where the movement of young animals, heavily pregnant animals or the import of animals which have been subject to poor welfare practices is acceptable. The need to prevent pet smuggling is serious and urgent, introducing these bans through later secondary legislation will only create further delays, enabling this illicit trade to continue.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will address pet smuggling and restrict unacceptable pet movements. They are working rapidly on necessary secondary legislation alongside the Bill to allow for quick adaptation to issues like importing pregnant animals.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
11
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
It is unclear whether travellers have understood the requirements of the new pet travel regulation. There is a risk that as travellers wishing to take their pets abroad will be sent home at the border.
Government response AI summary
The government has issued comprehensive guidance, run social media campaigns, and continues to work with stakeholders to communicate new pet travel rules. Surveys suggest high public awareness, and measures are in place to minimise non-compliance at borders.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
12
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
Defra should continue its efforts to ensure travellers understand the new pet travel regulations. The current reduction in travel provides an opportunity to ensure no pet owner is turned back home at the border once travel increases.
Government response AI summary
The government has accepted the recommendation, detailing comprehensive guidance issued through GOV.UK and social media, ongoing collaboration with veterinarians and carriers, and additional communications. They also introduced measures for pets refused entry to return to Great Britain without quarantine for a limited time.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
13
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
Regaining ‘part 1 listed’ under the EU’s Pet Travel Scheme will make taking pets to the EU and Northern Ireland easier and less costly.
Government response AI summary
The government accepts the importance of regaining ‘Part 1 listed’ status under the EU’s Pet Travel Scheme and states it has applied to the European Commission for this status, confirming it will continue to press the EU Commission to secure it.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
14
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
The Government should engage with the EU and adopt a pragmatic stance in the pursuit of either ‘Part 1 listed’ status in the EU Pet Travel Scheme’, or an arrangement which is as close to ‘Part 1’ status as is possible within the current political context environment.
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The Government should engage with the EU and adopt a pragmatic stance in the pursuit of either ‘Part 1 listed’ status in the EU Pet Travel Scheme’, or an arrangement which is as close to ‘Part 1’ status as is possible within the current political context environment.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it has applied for 'Part 1 listed' status and will continue to press the EU Commission to secure this status, despite currently holding 'Part 2 listed' status.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
19
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
We have been told that there are horses being illicitly moved across Britain’s borders and being sent to slaughter under the guise of being sold for other purposes.
Government response AI summary
The Government is committed to ending live exports for slaughter and is working with devolved nations, industry organisations, and World Horse Welfare to address the misdeclaration of equine movements, focusing on identifying evidence for legitimate trade and controlling high-risk consignments.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
20
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
Defra should investigate non-compliant horse movements and quantify the scale and causes of the practice. This work should take place in collaboration with industry groups like World Horse Welfare who have developed intelligence and expertise on horse smuggling. Once the scale of the issue has been identified, Defra should set …
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Defra should investigate non-compliant horse movements and quantify the scale and causes of the practice. This work should take place in collaboration with industry groups like World Horse Welfare who have developed intelligence and expertise on horse smuggling. Once the scale of the issue has been identified, Defra should set out a plan to address it within a year, and no later.
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Government response AI summary
The government is working with devolved nations and industry organisations, including World Horse Welfare, to identify evidence of misdeclaration in equine movements and focus controls on higher-risk consignments to end live animal exports for slaughter.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
26
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
British breeding stock is an important export. We are concerned that the ban on export for slaughter and fattening has been interpreted as a ban on the export of all live animals, which may have led to EU partners not prioritising suitable border posts. This could damage the export of …
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British breeding stock is an important export. We are concerned that the ban on export for slaughter and fattening has been interpreted as a ban on the export of all live animals, which may have led to EU partners not prioritising suitable border posts. This could damage the export of British breeding stock.
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Government response AI summary
The government clarifies that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill does not ban the export of live animals for breeding purposes. It states it is working with the NFU and discussing with EU Member States to encourage the setup of Border Control Posts for breeding …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
27
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
Within a month of this report’s publication Defra should provide a clear statement of support for the ongoing export of British breeding stock, emphasizing that these exports will not be affected by the ban on export for slaughter and fattening.
Government response AI summary
The government states that the Secretary of State clarified in June 2021 that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill would not prohibit the export of live animals for breeding purposes, directly addressing the committee's recommendation for a clear statement of support.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
30
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
However, the Government should monitor the implementation of the new systems to make sure they are fit for purpose and fully enable the movement of livestock from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. It should review these arrangements within 12 months of their implementation and report back to this committee.
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However, the Government should monitor the implementation of the new systems to make sure they are fit for purpose and fully enable the movement of livestock from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. It should review these arrangements within 12 months of their implementation and report back to this committee.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees to continue monitoring the implementation of residency and identification requirements for livestock movements between GB and NI and will report back to the Committee within 12 months as recommended.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
31
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
Furthermore, we welcome that the Government is working on a solution to the scrapie requirements, but a solution must be found immediately.
Government response AI summary
The government has agreed a new Scrapie Qualifying Status (SQS) with the EU to facilitate the movement of breeding sheep and goats from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Applications are open until 31 December 2021, and scrapie testing costs for GB-NI movements have been included …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
32
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
The Government should work with the EU to agree a derogation from the scrapie monitoring system, as quickly as possible. This derogation should provide adequate time for farmers to join the system. The Government should adopt a pragmatic and practical stance in pursuit of this goal.
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The Government should work with the EU to agree a derogation from the scrapie monitoring system, as quickly as possible. This derogation should provide adequate time for farmers to join the system. The Government should adopt a pragmatic and practical stance in pursuit of this goal.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it has agreed a new Scrapie Qualifying Status (SQS) within the existing Scrapie Monitoring Scheme with the EU to facilitate the movement of breeding sheep from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, and has included scrapie testing costs in the Movement Assistance Scheme.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
33
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
In the short-term Defra should extend the Movement Assistance Scheme to pay for scrapie testing. The new breeding season for sheep is about to start meaning the Government needs to find an immediate solution to allow breeding stock from Great Britain to enter into Northern Ireland. As such, the Movement …
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In the short-term Defra should extend the Movement Assistance Scheme to pay for scrapie testing. The new breeding season for sheep is about to start meaning the Government needs to find an immediate solution to allow breeding stock from Great Britain to enter into Northern Ireland. As such, the Movement Assistance Scheme should be extended for this purpose by October 2021.
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Government response AI summary
The government extended the Movement Assistance Scheme to include the cost of scrapie testing for GB-NI movements from 1 July 2021, and has agreed a new Scrapie Qualifying Status to facilitate breeding sheep movements, addressing the recommendation before the suggested deadline.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
34
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
We welcome the ban on export for slaughter and fattening as an important step in protecting animal welfare. We understand that the number of animal movements this ban will affect is small, however, we are concerned that there may be unintended consequences. Particularly, that it may create longer journeys, which …
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We welcome the ban on export for slaughter and fattening as an important step in protecting animal welfare. We understand that the number of animal movements this ban will affect is small, however, we are concerned that there may be unintended consequences. Particularly, that it may create longer journeys, which may increase costs for some UK farms and could have the unintended effect of worsening animal welfare. We are also concerned that this will prohibit the movement of livestock for breeding purposes. (Paragraph 108) Moving animals across borders 39
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the minimal cost impact of the ban and commits to adapting the journey log system to allow for permitted movements like breeding by requiring evidence of purpose, working with industry to implement this.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
35
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
Defra should work with the organisations and businesses that will be affected by the ban on export for slaughter to ensure that the ban is introduced in a pragmatic way that will not adversely affect rural businesses or animal welfare.
Government response AI summary
The Government is fully committed to working with industry, chairing the Small Abattoirs Working Group, initiating sub-groups for detailed discussions, and exploring future funding through the Farming Investment Fund to support rural businesses affected by the ban on export for slaughter.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
41
Recommendation
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
We welcome that Defra is rethinking its proposals. Defra should ensure they work with the industry to develop its new proposals, making sure they protect animal welfare while being practical and realistic. It should publish the updated proposals by December 2021. (Paragraph 111) Biosecurity
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We welcome that Defra is rethinking its proposals. Defra should ensure they work with the industry to develop its new proposals, making sure they protect animal welfare while being practical and realistic. It should publish the updated proposals by December 2021. (Paragraph 111) Biosecurity
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendations on biosecurity but primarily describes existing systems and ongoing engagement, without committing to working with industry on new proposals or publishing them by the specified deadline.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
44
Conclusion
First Report - Moving animals across bo…
Accepted
There is disagreement between Defra, the veterinary sector, and the Chief Veterinary Officer about whether there are enough veterinarians to carry out the increase in certification work which is required following the transition period.
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges a shortfall in official veterinarians, particularly in abattoirs, and outlines specific actions already undertaken or underway, including £1.8m in grant funding, developing a centralised training package, and creating Certification Support Officer roles to increase capacity.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs