Concerns raised over the UK’s vet shortage
The UK Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has written to the DEFRA secretary stating that the domestic vet shortage has worsened since the 11.5% shortage estimated in 2018.
A key issue of concern is the impact of the new salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa due to the UK’s reliance on veterinary professionals from overseas. The minimum salary thresholds stand at £48,100 for veterinary surgeons.
The ETRA committee say this could further diminish the UK’s access to veterinary resources. They also say there has already been a significant reduction in vets from overseas coming to work in the UK in recent years.
3.4 Tonnes of illegal meat seized days before new UK border checks
Dover District Council has seized 3.4t of illegal meat at the border days before the implementation of the latest phase of the Border Operating Model (BTOM).
The seizures included 54 unmarked sheep carcasses from two vehicles from Romania, which had travelled for several days in unhygienic conditions and unsuitable packaging (incomplete domestic clingfilm, black sacks and duct tape). The meat had also been transported without temperature controls, cross contaminating other food including pig parts, chicken, beef, and cheese items with dripping blood.
The illegal meat was seized and removed from the food supply chain at Dover. There have been recent concerns that African Swine Fever could spread to the UK from Europe threatening the UK’s pig herd.
AHDB analysis suggests NZ sheep meat unlikely to displace UK sheep meat in the EU
Analysis from AHDB has revealed that the NZ/EU Free Trade Agreement that came into force on 1st May is unlikely to displace UK exports to the region. The analysis has highlighted several factors to allay the concerns of UK sheep meat exporters.
EU sheep meat production fell in 2023 and is expected to fall further this year, helping to consolidate the UK’s position as the major supplier to this market. Different products and markets of the UK and New Zealand also suggest that New Zealand sheep meat will not displace UK sheep meat.
The EU is the UK’s largest market for sheep meat, with 79,700 tonnes of fresh and frozen product shipped in 2023 valued at £524 million. It is the second largest market for New Zealand sheep meat with 54,000 tonnes of product shipped to the market last year.