BVA has welcomed Defra’s announcement that a system of public money for public goods will be at the centre of the new Agriculture Bill and that animal health and animal welfare will be considered as public goods that should benefit from this legislation. The Agriculture Bill, introduced into Parliament today, has set out policy to replace the current subsidy system of direct payments to farmers and the new system will be phased in over a transition period of seven years from 2020.
On a timeline for the introduction of the new system, Defra has proposed that the definition of higher animal welfare within the new public goods framework and the leadership role for animal health and welfare will be agreed in 2020.
BVA President John Fishwick said: “We are very pleased to see the move from direct payments linked to land area to public money being used for public goods. For some time, we have been calling for animal health and animal welfare to be recognised as public goods to help guarantee that standards in this area are maintained or improved post Brexit and it is reassuring to hear that they will be supported with public money in agricultural policy.
“Vets play a crucial role in UK agriculture, from the farm-gate through to trade certification and border checks, so it’s vital that the Government use veterinary expertise to best effect in the delivery of this new Agriculture Bill. Vets must be involved in defining what is meant by higher animal welfare for the new system and there is an absolute need for veterinary involvement in designing interventions to improve animal health and welfare.”
“If we are to maintain our global reputation for high standards of animal health and welfare, and improve our trade links with the rest of the world, as Mr Gove promises, any future investment in the UK farming industry must be targeted at measures to maintain and enhance standards of animal health and welfare.”
