RBST comment on the Government’s response to the Live Exports Consultation.

RBST CEO Christopher Price, commenting on the response to the Live Export’s consultation said:

We are delighted that in its response the Government has at last begun to acknowledge the crisis in the abattoir network and has recognised the need “to ensure that we are maintaining as broad a geographical and specialist range of […] abattoirs as possible”. This represents a clear step forward in addressing the challenges, particularly smaller scale, livestock farmers face.

It is also good to see the commitment to working with the sector on the relationship between journey times and the need to take livestock to and from markets.  There can be particular concerns with those markets in the more remote parts of the country, and we look forward to working forward with officials on this.

Finally, we are pleased the Government has accepted the need to retain the ability to export live animals for breeding purposes. As Government notes, animals exported for breeding are transported in small numbers and better conditions than is generally the case.