BVA responds to extra border check suspension
"The Government must engage with the veterinary profession to ensure that efforts to ease trade do not come at the expense of the UK’s human and animal health and welfare" - Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVA president.
Concerns have been raised over plans to suspend the introduction of extra border checks on live animal imports from the EU.
The Government also plans to end border checks on some animal and plant foods from Ireland to ease trade ahead of the new SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) deal with the EU.
However, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has expressed concern over the implications for biosecurity, and has called on the government to consult with vets to ensure that trade facilitation does not compromise human and animal health.
BVA president Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “It’s vital the UK has robust import controls as a key line of defence against disease, and this remains the case whilst a UK-EU agreement is agreed.
"Although we recognise the Government’s ambition to facilitate smoother trade with the EU, and removing these extra checks should reduce delays for animals in transit, we are concerned that suspending these planned checks risks serious implications for the UK’s biosecurity while the details of the UK-EU deal continue to be negotiated.
“The Government must engage with the veterinary profession to ensure that efforts to ease trade do not come at the expense of the UK’s human and animal health and welfare whilst at the same time progressing a UK-EU agreement as quickly as possible.”
Under the agreement, border checks on live animal imports from the EU and certain animal and plant products from Ireland will not be required. Some live animals from the EU will still be inspected at their destination based on a series of risk factors.
Non-qualifying goods arriving from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can continue to enter the UK without physical inspection, and will continue to require pre-notification and certification in some instances.
The government says maintaining UK biosecurity remains a key priority and that the suspension will be reviewed ‘on a rolling basis’.
Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said: “Our deal with the EU will boost British businesses as we cut cumbersome bureaucracy and make trading food with our biggest market both cheaper and easier.
"Protecting the UK’s biosecurity is essential, and our partnership with the EU will ensure this while delivering for working people as part of our Plan for Change.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
