NOAH welcomes George Eustice as new DEFRA Secretary of State
13th February 2020
NOAH congratulates George Eustice MP on his appointment as the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and looks forward to working with him and his team to promote high standards of UK animal health and welfare.
Dawn Howard, NOAH Chief Executive, said: “We have worked with Mr Eustice in his previous DEFRA roles, and his strong commitment to UK agriculture and the health and welfare of our animals is very welcome at this critical time for the future of UK farming,” she said.
“We support the Agriculture Bill in its current form as high standards of animal health are rightly recognised as a public good and as something that farmers should receive payment for.
“From an animal health perspective, a vital element of the Bill is the provision that would allow financial assistance for “protecting or improving the health or welfare of livestock. We look forward to working with Mr Eustice on this.
“Not only will improving animal health help deliver benefits in terms of welfare, it will also support raising productivity, improving sustainability and resilience of farms – all helping to prepare for changes in trading outside the EU while strengthening our food security and helping protect the environment”.
NOAH’s ‘Vision Paper for Animal Health and Welfare’ sets out the association’s ambition through a holistic approach as no single action will deliver the results needed. Prevention of disease through measures such as improved biosecurity and vaccination and herd/flock health planning; improving skills through farmer professional development; investment in new technology – all will help play their part.
Dawn said: “We need to champion a regulatory environment in the UK to enable the tools to support these higher standards of animal health, not only for our farm livestock but for our pets too. Measures to encourage innovation in the veterinary medicines field will be vital.
“The health and welfare of animals is vital to society; they are an essential part of our food supply chain, and much-loved companions to ourselves and our families. NOAH’s vision is to be at the forefront of UK animal health and welfare,” she added.
Notes for Editors
For more information please contact Dawn Howard or Alison Glennon at NOAH on 020 8367 3131 or see noah.co.uk
NOAH represents the UK animal health industry. It promotes the benefits of safe, effective, quality products and services for the health and welfare of all animals.