RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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RHA to Press for Foot & Mouth Aid for Hauliers
Six years on and for many operating within the livestock sector of the UK haulage industry, recovery from the last outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease has been slow. Despite the fact that those employed within other highly peripheral rural activities received compensation for lost business (hotel, restaurants etc), this never materialised for road hauliers.
Roger Wrapson, RHA Manager responsible for the Association's Livestock Hauliers Group said: “In addition to the obvious financial burden, the livestock transport industry has not properly replaced those operators and drivers lost in the earlier outbreak. It is now being asked to invest further in more sophisticated equipment to comply with the new Animal Welfare Regulations, along with the need for drivers to be experienced, well trained and certificated. The industry, including those involved in exports, needs urgent assistance in order to survive.
“In order that history should not repeat itself, the Road Haulage Association will be pressing for immediate action to help those suffering from this latest outbreak.”
Proposed measures include . . .
Resumed Export Shipments
Live Animal Exports fully resumed just over 12 months ago. Many operators recognised this opportunity and have been concentrating on livestock carriage ever since. They now have no work and cannot afford to wait as possible 3 months (or even 6 months if the UK introduces vaccination) before resuming operations.
At the same time there has been a block on exports of animal products which is now severely affecting the frozen food sector.
Extension of Drivers’ Hours to allow animal movements on welfare grounds
Concern has already been expressed over the build up of animals in high production pig units. In addition, this is traditionally the time when sheep are moved through markets to allow autumn grazing etc. We therefore need to see an urgent extension of Drivers’ Hours Regulations.
Free or Subsidised Driver Training
Despite receiving no monetary compensation, one of the very few concessions offered to the industry in the last FMD crisis was that of subsidised training. Given that the industry is anxious to receive training and certification as part of the 1/2005 Animal Welfare Regulations this would be an excellent opportunity to give the industry practical help.
For more details, contact RHA Manager for Livestock, Roger Wrapson on . . .
Tel: 01932 841515
Mob: 07979 531458
