TRADING STANDARDS SLAM PLANNED LIVESTOCK RULES
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by Karen Miles • Just days before the introduction of new rules for the carriage of livestock, enforcement authorities have called for the "weak and confusing" changes to be postponed. Angry trading standards officers say the new order for the welfare of animals in transit will make it harder to prosecute errant livestock hauliers and exporters from its introduction on Saturday (23 January). The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which has rushed through the change in response to public pressure, last week said that in theory it was willing to amend the new law if persuaded.
But MAFF stressed that the new requirements for detailed journey plans for journeys of more than 15 hours would improve animal welfare.
Trading standards officers are objecting to the lack of legal definition over the term "journey" and fear that enforcement will be reduced as hauliers and exporters exploit the issue in court. They are also concerned over the failure to state that all parties—including hauliers, drivers and exporters—should be prosecuted for any abuses. They say the new order will make targeting just one of the group more likely. Backing up the trading standards officers' worries, the Association of County Councils has also told the Government that it is "particularly disappointed" that a new code of practice—which details rest periods—will remain voluntary. North Yorkshire trading standards officer Gordon Gresty says: "We need an order that we can enforce, the industry can understand and the vast bulk of them will be able to comply with." Graham Gilder, the Gloucestershire-based livestock haulier, attacked the latest rules, saying hauliers have not been asked for their input. He says animal welfare legislation is made by people "who would not recognise a live animal if they saw one".