Welfare must be international – Morley
19 June 2000
Welfare must be international – Morley
By FWi staff
INTERNATIONAL consensus must be achieved if animal welfare standards are to be driven up, claims junior farm minister Elliot Morley.
At the moment, high standards in some countries are being undermined by more cheaply produced foreign imports, said the minister, whose remit covers animal welfare.
Mr Morley told an international conference on the treatment of animals at the weekend that he was determined to bring about the highest standards possible.
Discussions at forthcoming World Trade Organisation talks would play a vital role in this, he said.
Speaking at the World Society for the Protection on Animals 2000 Congress in London, Mr Morley praised the groups work in advancing animal welfare.
He added that he hoped to attend an inter-governmental meeting on animal protection and welfare called by the Indian government for next spring.
However, claims of high British welfare standards are challenged by an investigation by animal rights group Animal Aid.
In a new report entitled Bartered Lives, the group claims farmers and livestock dealers routinely mistreat animals at livestock markets.
Animals are kicked and beaten with shovels and electric goads, and the plight of sick and injured livestock is ignored, claims Animal Aid.
It says the governments 1998 welfare strategy for animals has been is not being properly implemented and that brutality and neglect are endemic.
The report cites cases of animals brought to market with broken horns, animals being beaten, and inadequate provision of water.