Lyon Backs McArthur On Livestock Transport

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Aug 2008

The Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the European Parliament, George Lyon, has joined Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur, in condemning the plans by Europe to restrict animal transport times to eight hours. Like Liam McArthur, George Lyon believes that if these plans go ahead they would have a devastating impact on Scottish agriculture.

Liam McArthur has already written to Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, urging him to oppose the plans by taking Scotland's case to the EU Commission. Meanwhile, George Lyon is writing to the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, urging her to visit Scotland and meet farming representatives and see for herself the difficulties that further restrictions would have on the industry.

George Lyon, who is touring the North East and the Northern Isles, will be at the Dounby Show on Thursday where he plans to meet farming representatives to discuss their concerns about these EU plans on animal transport times.

Commenting on the plans, George Lyon said, ""The EU proposal for an eight hour journey time restriction, if adopted, would have a devastating impact on Scottish livestock production. It would have a particularly detrimental impact in the Northern Isles and the North East of Scotland, as the plans would make it virtually impossible for animals to be transported to their markets within this time limit.

"The Commission seem to have no understanding of the distances involved and the time required to transport animals off islands like Orkney and Shetland to their market places.

"Many farmers I spoke to at Voe Show in Shetland believe that the consultation is a sham and that the Commission have already made up their minds to introduce legislation to reduce journey times. That is why I am writing to Mariann Fischer Boel, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, inviting her to come and meet farming representatives to see firsthand the impact of these planned restrictions.

"We already have some of the highest welfare standards in Scotland and have just completed the introduction of new rules designed to further improve animal transport. There is, in my opinion, no good reason for further action at this time."

Meanwhile, the motion which Liam McArthur tabled in the Scottish Parliament, opposing the proposed changes and urging Scottish Ministers to take Scotland's opposition to Brussels, has won support from MSPs from three of the four main Scottish Parties. The MSPs backing it include the former Scottish Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, and former Rural Affairs Minister, Ross Finnie.

Commenting on the issue, Liam McArthur said, "I am aware, from my discussions at the shows so far this week, that there is growing concern about these proposals. I am pleased that George Lyon has lent his support to the campaign to convince the Commission to drop these entirely unnecessary and potentially devastating restrictions. As a former President of the NFUS, George's involvement adds significant weight to the growing campaign. His visit to Orkney, therefore, could not be more timely."

ENDS

Note for Editors - text of Liam McArthur's motion:

S3M-02351 Liam McArthur (Orkney) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Threat to Scotland's Farmers from Changes to Livestock Transport Regulations- That the Parliament notes that the European Commission is consulting on further changes to the regulations governing livestock transport; further notes the concerns expressed by the NFU Scotland that, if the regulations are changed so that journey times and livestock densities are cut, many journeys within the United Kingdom would be impossible, in particular, the movement of cattle and sheep from the Scottish highlands and islands and the transportation of pigs to England; shares these concerns believing that such changes would threaten the viability of livestock farming in Scotland where farmers are already struggling with increased fuel and other costs; believes that no good animal welfare reasons have been provided that would justify amendments to the regulations less than two years since they were last revised, and calls on the Scottish Government to make the strongest possible representations to the European Commission arguing that the livestock transport regulations should not once again be altered and making the commission fully aware of the dangerous implications for Scottish livestock farming if farmers are burdened with still more increased costs.