Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Moving animals across borders

Status: Closed Opened: 13 Jan 2021 Closed: 26 Jan 2022 28 recommendations 17 conclusions 1 report

As a result of the UK leaving the EU and being granted “national listed status” as a third country, the movement of animals across borders faces a raft of regulation changes. This means that exports of live animals (for slaughter and fattening) from Great Britain (GB) to the EU and Northern Ireland can continue, although … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Moving animals across borders HC 79 30 Sep 2021 45 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
6 Recommendation First Report - Moving animals across bo… Not Addressed

It is the carriers not APHA staff who carry out most checks on pets at...

It is the carriers not APHA staff who carry out most checks on pets at the border. Therefore, Defra should ensure that there is a legal obligation for the individual checking the animal to “visualise” the animal, making sure it matches the paperwork and microchip presented. Read more

Government response AI summary
The Government's response is missing or truncated and does not address the recommendation to ensure a legal obligation for visualising animals during checks.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
23 Conclusion First Report - Moving animals across bo… Not Addressed

The current lack of border control posts approved to process live animal exports in European...

The current lack of border control posts approved to process live animal exports in European ports is an effective ban on the export of British livestock to mainland Europe. The Government’s strategy of incentivising the construction of border control posts by providing information on the value of the sector has … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government's response is missing, containing only a header without substantive content.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
24 Recommendation First Report - Moving animals across bo… Not Addressed

The Government must work more closely with the EU and commercial partners to ensure that...

The Government must work more closely with the EU and commercial partners to ensure that border control posts capable of processing livestock are built immediately in Northern European ports.

Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on the establishment of UK Border Control Posts for imports into Great Britain, with facilities expected to be operational by July 2022. The response does not address the recommendation for working with the EU to build BCPs in Northern European ports …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
43 Recommendation First Report - Moving animals across bo… Not Addressed

The Government should work with the EU to regain Britain’s access to the ADNS as...

The Government should work with the EU to regain Britain’s access to the ADNS as a matter of urgency Defra should update this committee on its efforts . (Paragraph 117) 40 Moving animals across borders

Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses veterinary capacity and certification for animal exports but does not address the committee's specific recommendation to work with the EU to regain access to the ADNS.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
45 Recommendation First Report - Moving animals across bo… Not Addressed

Government should closely monitor veterinary capacity alongside projections of six-month demand and publish statistics on...

Government should closely monitor veterinary capacity alongside projections of six-month demand and publish statistics on a quarterly basis. (Paragraph 123) Moving animals across borders 41

Government response AI summary
The government explains current veterinary capacity challenges and outlines measures taken to address the shortfall, including providing grant funding and developing training. However, it does not commit to the specific recommendation of monitoring capacity alongside six-month demand projections and publishing statistics quarterly.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
29 Jun 2021 Gareth Baynham Hughes · Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon The Lord Benyon · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
8 Jun 2021 Christine Middlemiss · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ian Hewett · Animal and Plant Health Agency, Steve Dann · Border Force View ↗
18 May 2021 David Bowles · RSPCA, Jan Rogers · The Horse Trust, Maggie Roberts · Cats Protection, Mr Ross Hamilton · British Horseracing Authority, Paula Boyden · Dogs Trust, Roly Owers · World Horse Welfare View ↗
20 Apr 2021 James Russell · British Veterinary Association (BVA), Malcolm Mitchell · Scottish Rural College, Mr James West · Compassion in World Farming, Professor Tim Morris, Stuart Roberts · National Farmers Union, Victor Chestnutt · Ulster Farmers' Union View ↗

Who gave evidence

17 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Christine Middlemiss · Chief Veterinary Officer Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
David Bowles · Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns RSPCA 1
Gareth Baynham Hughes · Director of Animal and Plant Health Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Ian Hewett · interim Chief Executive Animal and Plant Health Agency 1
James Russell · President British Veterinary Association (BVA) 1
Jan Rogers · Director of Research and Policy The Horse Trust 1
Maggie Roberts · Director of Veterinary Services Cats Protection 1
Malcolm Mitchell · Professor of Physiology and Animal Welfare Scottish Rural College 1
Mr James West · Senior Policy Manager UK Compassion in World Farming 1
Mr Ross Hamilton · Head of Public Affairs British Horseracing Authority 1
Paula Boyden · Veterinary Director Dogs Trust 1
Professor Tim Morris 1
Roly Owers · Chief Executive Officer World Horse Welfare 1
Rt Hon The Lord Benyon · Rural Affairs Minister Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Steve Dann · Director, National Operational Headquarters Border Force 1
Stuart Roberts · Deputy President National Farmers Union 1
Victor Chestnutt · President Ulster Farmers' Union 1

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
23 Sep 2021 Formal meeting (private meeting) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee · Room 21, Palace of Westminster