Our work on EU-Exit

Priority Areas: 

Our key policy areas are below - for more detail, please visit the manifesto and our Brexit Trade Paper

 

  • Animal Health & Welfare

We have some of the strongest feed safety and animal welfare standards in the world; these must be maintained and not undermined by imports with lower standards.  Vets play a vital role in maintaining these standards. 85% of official state vets, and 30% of all vets, come from the EU. Concerns about the veterinary workforce need to be addressed.
 

  • Raw Materials Supplies

We use a significant amount of animal by-products, surplus to the human food chain. This gives value to farmers who would otherwise have to dispose of that high quality material.  80% of our raw materials are from the UK. We must continue to support domestic farmers to ensure a reliable supply of safe, high quality and high welfare raw materials. 
 

  • Market Access 

We want to avoid barriers to trade and promote access to new markets. Currently 80% of members export to the EU, 60% to the rest of the world. Half of members import raw materials or finished goods. As the UK prepares to leave the EU Single Market and Customs Union in the second stage of the process, this paper sets out our vision of the opportunities and challenges head for our sector. 
 

  • Regulatory Regime

We want to keep legislation aligned with EU to allow continued trade with Europe without unnecessary and costly barriers to trade. 100% of modern animal feed and welfare law currently originates from the EU. We do not want any reduction of these high standards which help to keep our pets and products safe.
 

  • Workforce

The pet food industry employs a workforce of 100,000 people across the EU that benefits the UK greatly.