NOAH welcomes Trade and Agriculture Commission report
5th March 2021
NOAH welcomes the publication of the final Trade and Agriculture Commission report. The Commission, set up to advise the UK government on how best to advance the interests of British farmers, food producers and consumers in future trade agreements, proposes a specific Agri-Food Trade Strategy, with a dedicated Minister to support. NOAH supports this, seen as recognising the importance of a thriving food and farming sector to the UK economy and societal ambitions.
Dawn Howard, NOAH Chief Executive said: “We support the principle that the UK capitalises on its high animal welfare status to promote and support levelling up of global standards in animal welfare and environment, and we welcome the evidence-based approach recommended. Our sector is ready to support these world leadership ambitions by protecting the health status of our animals, as good health is integral to good welfare and the production of sustainable food.”
The report recommendations support growth in UK export markets, while protecting food safety and proposing tariff-based support on animal welfare, to help support British farmers.
NOAH also welcomes the global One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance proposed by the Commission and supports the approach of the EU-UK co-operation agreement.
She explained: “The UK farming and veterinary sector has demonstrated its strong commitment to the responsible use of antibiotics and this will continue, through responsible prescribing and use and also through encouraging prevention of disease through good housing, biosecurity and improved uptake of vaccines.
“We will be working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, to be reviewed this year, provide an excellent regulatory framework to support innovation and investment in UK animal health, to continue to provide new tools for vets and farmers to produce food from UK farms for UK and export markets.
“Now the work begins to transfer these recommendations into UK trade policy, and we will be happy to support with this as we can,” she said.
Notes for Editors
For further information contact a.glennon@noah.co.uk
NOAH represents the UK animal health industry. Its aim is to promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality products and services for the health and welfare of all animals.
The Trade and Agriculture Commission Report can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-and-agriculture-commission-tac/trade-and-agriculture-commission-final-report-executive-summary