Announcement Tomorrow on Banning Live Exports and More Restrictions On Domestic Journeys

[kiwi pom]

im sure i read we import as much sheep meat annually as we export ? .......... which sounds crazy

No different than importing wheat though.
I would think some of the exports are the bits that 'locals' won't eat?

 

[Top Tip.]

no, I don’t do appeasement. The nuance is quite simple - “you’ve forced us into this”. The NFU obsession with “working closely with government” should go out the window when the government is openly hostile to farming.

There’s a difference between “working closely” and rolling over at every opportunity.

 

[Sid]

BBC website this morning says live exports to be banned. Only half way down the page does it mention a consultation.

As far as transport is concerned I am fairly sure the longest trip for cull cows here has been as TB reactors, where I have no choice of distance. Perhaps the government should take some responsibility over that.

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Once again the BBC don't allow comments on a controversial news story so we can correct the facts!

Fake news again!

 

[Boysground]

It’s creating a prejudiced jury. Most of the people who have read that now think it’s banned or are expecting the government to do so with no proper discussion

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[Sid]

It’s creating a prejudiced jury. Most of the people who have read that now think it’s banned or are expecting the government to do so with no proper discussion

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Well perhaps they won't feed into the consultation because they think it's a done deal

 

[S J H]

so your default position is to protect Brexit and Brexiteers whatever the facts? I see.

My default position is what’s best for the country and the industry in 10 years time. There’s more to life than selling lambs.

 

[neilo]

Once again the BBC don't allow comments on a controversial news story so we can correct the facts!

Fake news again!

I notice the BBC website does mention the NFU’s response, which includes “We believe that an assurance scheme which goes beyond the current regulation”. Can’t beat having a bit of assurance scheming. Livestock is already exported under strict rules, and under heavy scrutiny.

 

[neilo]

One day, will farmers actually wake up and realise that the Conservative Party is no longer the friend of the ag industry that it is perceived to be, and stop voting for them blindly? A friend of asset rich landowners yes, but not the ag industry.

The banning of live exports was a Conservative manifesto pledge, as was the stripping of Ag support and the massive ramping up of tree planting. The only ‘good’ pledge was to retain support at current levels for the lifetime of this parliament, which was duly broken last week.

 

[Ysgythan]

My default position is what’s best for the country and the industry in 10 years time. There’s more to life than selling lambs.

But you didn’t let that inhibit you casting personal aspersions? Come on, the direction the world is heading is trading blocs. It doesn’t make sense to leave one now and it won’t in ten years time.

 

[Henarar]

Absolutely correct but change the word export to transport as this is what it is all about.
The term export for animals has become an emotive subject by the animal rights lobby however from where I sit I can be to my nearest abattoir in the EU in 4 hours if travelling Dover to Calais, it can take four and a half Farmers First at Kenilworth!

The single biggest difference in the two operations is that the animals that cross a border have to be inspected by a Vet, travel on a Higher Standard Vehicle which has satellite tracking, temperature controls, feeding and watering facilities and a driver who has had to have done a practical test to obtain a qualification to transport the animals. The density of the animals is also controlled under the WATO regulations which were put in place using scientific research on the welfare of stock in transit.

It makes little sence really for you to send them to fresh as apparently they are exporting anything they can get their hands on at the moment in case it goes wrong come the new year.
all those food miles but that don't seem to matter

 

[Henarar]

The banning of live exports was a Conservative manifesto pledge,

so was an EU refarendum
I wonder how many eu supporters voted for the conservatives in that election ? how silly

 

[Ysgythan]

so was an EU refarendum
I wonder how many eu supporters voted for the conservatives in that election ? how silly

Couldn’t agree more

 

[S J H]

But you didn’t let that inhibit you casting personal aspersions? Come on, the direction the world is heading is trading blocs. It doesn’t make sense to leave one now and it won’t in ten years time.

You’ve lost me. I’m not sure it is the way the world is going or was going until a few weeks ago, things may change now.

 

[S J H]

One day, will farmers actually wake up and realise that the Conservative Party is no longer the friend of the ag industry that it is perceived to be, and stop voting for them blindly? A friend of asset rich landowners yes, but not the ag industry.

The banning of live exports was a Conservative manifesto pledge, as was the stripping of Ag support and the massive ramping up of tree planting. The only ‘good’ pledge was to retain support at current levels for the lifetime of this parliament, which was duly broken last week.

What’s the alternative though? I’d expect less support from a conservative government, but more freedom with it.

 

[Boysground]

Well perhaps they won't feed into the consultation because they think it's a done deal

Think your right

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[JP1]

Tomorrow there will be an announcement of the start of an eight week consultation on Live exports and all journey times for livestock.
While this was flagged up by George "Useless" it is no surprise that another difficult issue is being put into the melting pot with our supposed leaving the EU in 4 weeks time.

However while the headlines for TV and the media will be the "banning of live exports", a review of all animal transport is to be undertaken with pressure to reduce journey times for all stock and potentially increase restrictions on travelling in adverse weather conditions. It is also being suggested that time in markets will no longer be neutral time but considered in journey time.
Live exports and livestock transport have long been a target for all animal rights organisations and there is a strong feeling that the government wishes to appease these groups and probably the PM's partner.

With the continued loss of small abattoirs and ever increasing centralisation of supermarket supply this will be an interesting consultation.
There is of course the issue of Ireland, will they also stop all those Irish ewes going to Longtown or the lambs that go the other way and are slaughtered in Southern Ireland!!

I don't know any decent farmer or haulier who is not pro animal welfare. The Government are in trouble over Brexit and this is one more sop.

Adverse conditions lead to a few investing in insulated / temp controlled vehicles to move weaners when ambient was less than 5 degrees but I consider they come out too humid and it's not that good for them compared with straw bedding

When you start playing fast and loose you also have to remember the Highlands and islands. Without decent domestic travel extensions, their markets will evaporate

 

[Mixedupfarmer]

Read his post again, in case you weren’t aware. WTO tariffs (as a consequence of no deal) would be 43% on lamb carcasses. Live exports would attract a tariff of zero %.

So potentially exports of UK lamb live to Europe for slaughter could have saved the sheep industry from tariffs in a no deal scenario?

 

[Sid]

So potentially exports of UK lamb live to Europe for slaughter could have saved the sheep industry from tariffs in a no deal scenario?

Now it will be a case of how those long keep lambs look?

 

[Ysgythan]

What’s the alternative though? I’d expect less support from a conservative government, but more freedom with it.

unless...the Prime Minister’s partner is using him to push her green agenda.

 

[Mixedupfarmer]

So potentially exports of UK lamb live to Europe for slaughter could have saved the sheep industry from tariffs in a no deal scenario?

Any other country would, and do support a live trade to avoid tariffs and help the industry, and country, rather than suggesting sheep farmers all pile into beef. Sending lambs across the water would be quicker and better for welfare from the East as we have no real abattoirs left for lamb near, and a future cover cropping / mixed farming via ELMS etc could support an increase in sheep in the East.