Sue Hayman MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, commenting on the House of Lords EU Environment Committee report on animal welfare, said:

“Vets play a key role in ensuring the humane slaughter of animals and the proper certification of animal shipments. With EU nationals making up more than 90 per cent of slaughterhouse vets, the concerns expressed in the report today about vet numbers after Brexit should cause the Government to lay out plans for the long term recruitment and retention of vets.

“The Conservatives seem to have a problem with animal welfare and food standards, with a manifesto commitment to bring back fox hunting and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox appearing to support importing chlorine-washed chicken as part of a US-UK trade deal.

“Labour calls on the Government to secure the inclusion of high farm animal welfare standards in any trade agreements negotiated after Brexit.“