THE NSA has welcomed news that Defra has confirmed a further extension to resolve the problem of the EU Animal Health Regulation requiring vet attestations of livestock health rather than a farmer declaration, as is currently the case.

Until recently Defra had proposed that as of this month every farm exporting meat products to the EU would have to have a vet-conducted attestation of health status accompanying all animals to slaughter.

The NSA fought, along with others, to ensure these changes did not come into force in the alarmingly short time scale that Defra had suggested, leaving only a month for adjustments.

NSA chief executive officer Phil Stocker said: “It is a relief that Defra has realised the unachievable reality of their judgement and although NSA has managed to buy time, this is an issue that will have to be revisited in the near future.

“The change, from a farmer declaration to a veterinary attestation, was proposed to be introduced in order to be fully compliant with the EU Animal Health Regulations. However, farmers, the supply chain and veterinary surgeons were not in a place to be able to deliver this with such short notice.”

Following pressure from industry bodies, Defra has now reviewed the date, pushing it back until December 2023, by which time certification will need to take place based on either membership of a qualifying farm assurance scheme or via a valid veterinary declaration – the best way to provide evidence that exports comply with EU requirements.

Phil added: “With 72 per cent of all meat exports and 96 per cent of all sheep meat exports going to the EU, this is a vital market that needs to kept open – and accessible.

“Defra is understandably keen to ensure the UK sector is fully compliant with EU law to avoid any disruption in trade – but changes like this take time to find solutions for and they must be practical and take account of the way our industry operates.

“The NSA is continuing to highlight the challenges and input into the practicalities of Defra’s long-term approach and is keen that this issue is picked up immediately to agree and implement solutions as soon as possible and avoid us being in the same place this time next year.”