BVA responds to Gove’s speech on subsidies
BVA president Gudrun Ravetz said there must be greater emphasis placed on animal health and welfare.
BVA president Gudrun Ravetz has called for greater emphasis on animal health and welfare when future farming subsidies are paid out.
Her comments follow Michael Gove MP’s speech on Friday (21 July), in which he said that ‘farm subsidies will have to be earned rather than just handed out in future’.
He outlined that farmers will only receive subsidies if they agree to protect the environment and enhance rural life.
Commenting, Gudrun Ravetz said: “We welcome the focus on good environmental practice in the Government’s early plans to replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy or CAP payments, however, there must be greater emphasis placed on animal health and welfare as part of a comprehensive policy moving forwards.
“After all, as the Secretary of State acknowledged, the success of our agri-food sector is built on the UK’s reputation for high animal welfare standards, and good animal health status.”
She continued: “One of BVA’s earliest, and continued Brexit calls on the Government is to ensure that any replacement CAP scheme encompasses at least animal health, animal welfare, disease surveillance, biodiversity and environmental stewardship as public goods that benefit not only producers but consumers and wider society too.
“As Government develops the detail of the policy that will replace CAP payments, BVA is recommending close working with industry to progress a farm animal welfare stewardship programme that is funded by our new domestic agricultural policies.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
