NFU director hits back at claims over welfare costs

Reviewing the costs – the economics of moving to higher welfare farming, was written by the CIWF’s Peter Stevenson.

Mr Kay, who came from the National Pig Association to take over the NFU regional director’s chair at York, commented: “He argues that in certain cases ‘farming to higher standards of animal welfare adds relatively little to on-farm production costs’. Focusing on poultry and pig producers in the UK, the report quotes costs amounting to a 2p/egg differential for free-range vs cage-produced eggs and roughly 7p/kilo for pigs from stall-free systems finished on straw. I don’t think Yorkshire producers would consider these additional costs as insignificant, especially when they only take in running costs, not capital.

“The report also castigates what it calls the ‘negative externalities’ of livestock production, and makes sweeping statements about ‘environmental degradation’ caused by farming, based on research that’s 10 years old.

“It fails to mention the 25 per cent reduction in nitrogen usage between 1998 and 2008, or that nitrate levels are falling in most surface waters and even in groundwater, which is slower to react. Equally, it omits the environmental roadmaps produced by all livestock sectors, highlighting how greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced to comfortably below the UK 11 per cent target for 2020. I am disappointed that again this organisation, despite its name – Compassion In WORLD Farming – is focused solely on urging British farmers to raise welfare standards ever higher.

“Never mind that at least 20 per cent of the EU pig herd will not comply with the EU sow stall ban from 2013.

“We implemented this in 1999 thanks partly to CIWF lobbying backed with a fanfare of retail and Government support – support that didn’t last long, as the higher costs of production resulted in the loss of more than 300,000 sows from our national herd.

“In the egg sector, the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive ‘bans’ conventional cages from this January and UK producers have spent £400m converting to higher welfare systems. Yet we know that more than 20 per cent of EU egg production will not have converted by that date.

“The report says Dutch research shows that consumers are increasingly prepared to pay more for higher welfare products. However, anyone who has asked consumers about their farm animal production values and then assessed their buying choices will tell you these studies are likely to be fundamentally flawed.

“Ask me: ‘Would you pay for higher welfare products?’ and of course I’m going to say yes. This is the socially acceptable and expected response, yet my choices in the food aisles when no-one is watching are likely to have other influences such as price. Let us also remember that retail sales are not the only market farmers are supplying into. The food service sector accounts for a large proportion of the total market and with that comes tough price pressure.

“The report’s final flourish suggests using the tax system to ‘encourage’ people to buy healthier and higher welfare products but please, let’s not make the same mistakes in pushing for legislation ahead of what consumers are prepared to pay for.”