Defra’s position on live animal exports for slaughter
There is factually inaccurate coverage in this morning’s Farmers Guardian of a ‘Defra u-turn’ on banning live animal exports for slaughter. After speaking to a member of England’s Animal Health and Welfare Board, it is reported Ministers are reconsidering their support for a ban. Defra was not approached for comment.
There is absolutely no truth in claims we have changed our position on live exports. Our manifesto commits to controlling live exports and the Secretary of State has been clear we are considering all options, including a possible ban. We will set out our proposals in due course.
While members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board provide helpful advice, they do not speak on behalf of ministers or the government. We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards anywhere in the world and we will continue to take action to improve them.
We have been in touch with the Farmers Guardian to provide a comment and request a correction.
A Defra spokesperson said:
It is wrong to claim we have changed our position on live exports. Our manifesto commits to controlling live exports and the Secretary of State has been clear we are considering all options, including a possible ban. We will set out our proposals in due course.
Members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board provide helpful advice but do not speak on behalf of ministers or the government.
Supermarket plastic waste
The Guardian today ran critical coverage of the availability of data on the amount of plastic waste produced by supermarkets.
The story stated that supermarkets were able to hide the amount they place on the market, and calls were made for the current regulatory system to be reformed. It added that the information is “kept secret”.
This does not tell the full story.
In fact, collated data submitted by the UK largest retailers is published by the Environment Agency and is available to view online.
A Defra spokesperson:
It is incorrect to claim that the Producer Responsibility Scheme is secretive. Collective data submitted by the UK’s major retailers is publically available.
We have made it clear, however, that we intend to reform the PRS in order to incentivise producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products. We will be publishing more detail in our upcoming Resources and Waste Strategy.