Question reference: S5W-29232
- Asked by: Angus MacDonald, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 20 May 2020
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to respond to the recommendations by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) in its publication, Opinion on the Welfare of Animals during Transport.
Answer
The Scottish Government published the Opinion of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee on the welfare of animals during transport on 17 April 2020. The Opinion and the Scottish Government’s response can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/fawc-opinion-on-the-welfare-of-animals-during-transport-sg-response/
In our initial response to FAWC’s Opinion we reiterated our commitment to maintaining high standards of animal welfare and to enhancing them sustainably. We now wish to explore how best to develop our current high standards of welfare in transport further, using FAWC’s proposed principles.
In particular we agree that all journeys have impacts on the welfare of animals and the three Rs approach should apply – can journeys be replaced, i.e. avoided; can they be reduced; and can they be refined. This includes minimising the amount of loading and unloading which causes stress to the animals. We agree that journeys should be well planned, including where appropriate with rest stops and contingency arrangements; that animals should be fit for the journey and in a fit state when they arrive; that the specific requirements of different species should be taken into account; that those responsible for animal transport should possess the appropriate skills and competences; that their vehicles are in a good condition and fit for purpose; and that effective compliance and enforcement arrangements and practices should apply.
We are committed to consulting on FAWC’s recommendations as soon as practicable, in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will advise Parliament when the consultation is due to start.
It is intended that the results of the consultation will allow us to fully consider our preferred policy intention of not supporting unnecessary long journeys involved in the export of livestock.
We fully recognise the traditional patterns of movement for livestock in island and remote rural communities, and we will continue to protect the needs and interests of Scottish farming and crofting by ensuring that appropriate livestock movements between all areas of Scotland are able to continue. However, we anticipate the potential to enhance welfare standards within such movements and remain committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to develop any such standards.