Last updated 21:56, Wednesday, 30 July 2008

SCOTLAND’S traditional livestock production is once again under threat from impractical and costly transport legislation, claims NFU Scotland.

The European Commission has re-opened the debate on transport times and stocking densities only two years after the current transport rules came into effect

It says a web consultation has been launched by the European Commission with the intention of reviewing the current legislation on travelling times and stocking densities for animals under transport.

This development is alarming and unwelcome given that the current transport rules were agreed only in 2005 and came into force last year.

To make matters worse, the consultation is badly written, is heavily weighted in favour of reduced journey times and stocking densities and is confusing to complete.

With this in mind NFUS has issued guidance on completing the form and is encouraging individual farmers and other organisations to respond.

Vice-president Nigel Miller said: “Animal welfare is an issue of huge importance for Scotland’s agricultural industry. We have an excellent record on animal transport and that cause must not be undermined by resentment at ill-thought-out proposals such as these.

“It beggars belief that only 18 months into the new transport legislation, the Commission has chosen to reopen the debate on transport times and stocking densities.

“The latest regulations, which have introduced transporter authorisations and driver competence tests to those hauling livestock, will already take welfare standards throughout Europe to a new level. These must be given time to bed in and be properly assessed before any discussion on further change.

“If those behind the consultation get their way, many journeys within the UK would be impossible, in particular, the movement of cattle and sheep from the Scottish Highlands and Islands and the transportation of pigs to England. These proposals wouldn’t let us operate within our own country.

“Reducing journey length would have a huge impact on those producing cattle and sheep in more remote areas. At the same time, cutting the numbers of stock allowed to be carried on a vehicle will drive up costs, with the possibility of delivering poorer welfare conditions for those animals being transported.

“This consultation compounds the concerns we have over the availability of livestock haulage in Scotland. We are meeting the Institute of Auctioneers and the Road Haulage Association to discuss transport provision ahead of the forthcoming autumn sales.

The consultation runs until August 7 and is at ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=animaltransport. A briefing with suggested responses is available on the NFUS website at www.nfus.org.uk