Concern as UK minister fires gun on welfare race to the top
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference this Wednesday, UK Farming Minister George Eustice said that the Government wants to drive higher welfare standards on British livestock farms.
Potential UK restrictions on beef from cattle kept on slats could affect both British and Irish farmers.
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This has raised concern amongst UK and Irish farmers, who feel they already have some of the highest welfare standards in the world. The drive to increase welfare on farms will not be without consequence and could see increased paperwork as farmers need to provide evidence of compliance.
Eustice said he wanted to make welfare standards the “best in the world,” whilst also stating that the UK will not permit imports from countries with lower welfare standards.
The question has to be asked though: if the UK races to the top on welfare, does this drag the Irish farmers along too?
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The US, Australia and New Zealand already have an equivalence of standards so they can trade on an understanding that each other’s welfare code is met. How a similar equivalence system will play out is critical to understanding the implications for Irish farmers.
Cattle on slats
A clear example is the UK government’s dislike of cattle on slats. If the current rules were to be further tightened how would this affect countries trying to send beef to the UK?
UK farmers will be lobbying hard to reduce beef imports and could use welfare as their central argument.
Specifics on how better welfare will actually play out are still missing. The UK government will continue to hide behind their consultations before having to give any details. Nevertheless, farmers on both sides of the Irish Sea will need to watch very carefully as this develops.
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Title: Concern as UK minister fires gun on welfare race to the top
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference this Wednesday, UK Farming Minister George Eustice said that the Government wants to drive higher welfare standards on British livestock farms.
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This has raised concern amongst UK and Irish farmers, who feel they already have some of the highest welfare standards in the world. The drive to increase welfare on farms will not be without consequence and could see increased paperwork as farmers need to provide evidence of compliance.
Eustice said he wanted to make welfare standards the “best in the world,” whilst also stating that the UK will not permit imports from countries with lower welfare standards.
The question has to be asked though: if the UK races to the top on welfare, does this drag the Irish farmers along too?
The US, Australia and New Zealand already have an equivalence of standards so they can trade on an understanding that each other’s welfare code is met. How a similar equivalence system will play out is critical to understanding the implications for Irish farmers.
Cattle on slats
A clear example is the UK government’s dislike of cattle on slats. If the current rules were to be further tightened how would this affect countries trying to send beef to the UK?
UK farmers will be lobbying hard to reduce beef imports and could use welfare as their central argument.
Specifics on how better welfare will actually play out are still missing. The UK government will continue to hide behind their consultations before having to give any details. Nevertheless, farmers on both sides of the Irish Sea will need to watch very carefully as this develops.
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Eustice said he wanted to make welfare standards the “best in the world,” whilst also stating that the UK will not permit imports from countries with lower welfare standards. 
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