IT’S not often I would urge Scottish ministers to follow their counterparts in England and Wales, but I’m happy to do so on this occasion.
In 2019, the Farm Animals Welfare Committee published its opinion on the welfare of animals in transport, a detailed and considered document.
One of the recommended key principles asks whether the journey can be replaced by practical measures, eg meat-only trade replacing animals being transported for slaughter.
READ MORE: This Morning viewers pan Andrew Neil over Scotland vaccine claim
Governments within the UK accept the vast bulk of the committee’s recommendations, and are consulting on their response. For England and Wales, a ban on exporting animals for slaughter and fattening is being pursued: “Live export journeys for slaughter and fattening will not be allowed to depart from England or Wales for a destination outside the UK or transit through England or Wales on their way to a destination outside the UK.
“Therefore, live export journeys for slaughter and fattening beginning in Scotland, Northern Ireland or EU member states such as the Republic of Ireland, that are destined for outside the UK, cannot transit through England or Wales. This proposal will not impact on necessary domestic livestock and horse movements between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”
No such ban is being proposed by the Scottish Government. Readers may wish to ask the Cabinet Secretary, Mr Ewing, and their MSPs: why not?
Roddie Macpherson
Avoch
I READ that Germany has implemented tighter border controls in the frontiers with the Czech Republic and Austria`s Tyrol provinces, in an effort to stem the flow of Covid variants. The restrictions limit entry from these areas to German citizens and residents, lorry drivers, transport, and health service staff. Meanwhile, Scotland cannot tighten border controls with England to stem the flow of Covid variants, and protect its citizens. Moral of the story – Germany is an independent nation; Scotland is not.
William C McLaughlin
Biggar
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel