Veal export ban looms
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• Livestock hauliers could face a ban on live veal exports following the High Court's decision to refer legal moves by animal rights groups to the European Court of Justice.
In a High Court ruling this week the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming won the right to challenge in the European Courts the Government's decision not to ban the export of veal calves to the Continent,
The ruling could be given within 12 months and if successful would put heavy pressure on Agricultural Minister William Waldegrave to impose a ban. Chairman of the RHA's Livestock Carriers Group, Eddie Harper, says the ruling is "potentially a serious threat to all those in the livestock industry".
While recognising the threat, the FTA says any loss of trade would be soaked up by the frozen carcass sector.
However, veal haulier Graham Gilder sees the move as another blow to the industry. He says: "I'm sick of all these new regulations. If it came about it would cause a lot of suffering," UK livestock hauliers have organised a meeting over Christmas to decide on how to respond to this latest threat.