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Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain: The Evidence Base

Chapter 4: The livestock and meat industry

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 Many livestock move from the premises on which they are born at some point during their lifespan. Examples of livestock movements include movements to and from other farms, livestock markets, shows, competitions, veterinary premises, zoological premises, collection centres, assembly centres, artificial breeding centres, airports, sea ports and slaughterhouses. Understanding why, how often and how far livestock may move is important when thinking about both animal welfare and animal disease. Farmed livestock production is ultimately related to meat production, so trends in meat production and consumption are also relevant in considering the future prospects of the livestock industry.

4.2 Livestock movements within Great Britain

4.2.1 When the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak occurred in 2001 little information was available on livestock movements. Information was available for cattle from the Cattle Tracing Scheme (CTS), and for pigs but there was very little information available for other livestock. With the introduction of a licensing scheme for animal movements much more is now known about how often and where livestock are moved around the country. The following analysis of movements is just for England and Wales as GB figures are not readily available at the moment. It is intended as an illustration of the variety of reasons for which livestock are moved, and which are the most common types of movement.

4.2.2 For cattle the majority of the movement details come from the CTS system and are available for Great Britain. The movement details for other livestock in England and Wales are recorded on the Animal Movements Licensing system (AMLS) by Local Authorities and a similar system exists in Scotland. Co-operation between Defra and the Scottish Executive allows for movements between England and Scotland to be recorded effectively. Whilst the AMLS is a very valuable source of information it should be remembered that some types of movement are not recorded under the scheme e.g. most movements of sheep to slaughter are not recorded.

4.3 Cattle movements

4.3.1 The majority of cattle movements are recorded under the CTS. Both the direction of the movement and the type of premises is recorded. A movement is recorded as an 'off' movement from point of departure (e.g. the farm) and as an 'on' movement at the destination

(e.g. the slaughterhouse) - so one movement usually results in two records in the database. In 2003 almost 7.9 million cattle arrived on premises in England and Wales. 3.1 million cattle were born or moved onto farms, 2.1 million moved onto livestock markets and 2.6 million moved onto slaughterhouses. Table 4.3.1 shows the number of cattle movements that were recorded in England and Wales in 2003. The 'other' premises include movement to/from showgrounds, competitions, ports, vets, zoos, artificial breeding centres and collection centres.

Table 4.3.1 Cattle movements in Great Britain in 2003

Source: Cattle Tracing Scheme

4.4 Sheep movements

4.4.1 Some sheep movements are not recorded by the AMLS, including movements of sheep around premises that have been linked together in a Sole Occupancy Authority (SOA), movements to and from common land, and the majority of sheep going to the slaughterhouse. For example in 2003 over 12.9 million sheep and lambs were slaughtered in England and Wales, but the AMLS recorded just 1.1 million sheep going to slaughterhouses in England and Wales. In 2003 the AMLS recorded 17.6 million sheep movements to destinations in England and Wales. From the types of sheep movements that are recorded on the AMLS it can be seen that most (other than those to slaughterhouses) are from farm to farm (4.2 million), farm to livestock market (9.1 million) or livestock market to farm (2.7 million). Figure 4.4.1 illustrates the types of sheep movements that were recorded under the AMLS in 2003 in England and Wales.

Figure 4.4.1: Direction and types of sheep movements recorded on the AMLS in England and Wales in 2003

Source: Defra

4.5 Pig movements

4.5.1 In 2003 almost 11.8 million pig movements to destinations in England and Wales were recorded on the AMLS. Most of the movements were from farm to slaughterhouse (6.7 million) or from farm to farm (4.9 million). Figure 4.5.1 illustrates the types of movements that were recorded in 2003.

Figure 4.5.1: Direction and types of pig movements recorded on the AMLS in England and Wales in 2003

Source: Defra

4.6 Overseas trade in live animals

4.6.1 Each year live animals are traded (imported and exported) between the United Kingdom and other countries. Care has to be taken to protect animal welfare and prevent the possibility of spreading disease. Live animals traded in this way may include farm livestock, horses (e.g. for racing, breeding), exotic species (e.g. for zoos) and animals for research. Statistics on trade between the UK and other countries are collected by HM Customs and Excise. For trade with non-EU countries they are collected from the import or export declarations. For trade within the EU they are collected from VAT returns under the 'Intrastat' system.

4.6.2 There are special rules governing the imports and exports of live animals and it is the responsibility of the GB agriculture departments to ensure the rules are applied within Great Britain. Additional statistics on live trade are available from the administrative information that is collected in order for Great Britain to meet these responsibilities. These animal movement (ANIMO) statistics show that the HM Customs and Excise data under records the numbers of cattle and sheep that are exported from Great Britain to the EU. To get more accurate figures for exports of cattle and sheep we therefore use ANIMO figures for exports from Great Britain to the

EU similar information on exports from Northern Ireland to the EU, plus HM Customs and Excise data on exports to non-EU countries. Tables 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 show the imports and exports of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and horses and what proportion of those imports are between the UK and the rest of the EU.

Table 4.6.1 Imports of live animals to the UK

Source: HM Customs and Excise

4.6.3 Cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry are mainly imported from the EU whilst horses are more likely to be imported from outside the EU than other types of livestock. In 2002 over three quarters of horses imported to the UK were pure bred breeding animals. The UK received horses from many countries in 2002. The five most common non-EU countries were the USA, Dubai, Argentina, Canada and New Zealand. These countries accounted for almost 85 per cent of horses imported from outside the EU.

4.6.4 Cattle, sheep and pigs are usually exported from the UK to EU countries. Poultry and horses are more likely to be exported to non-EU countries than other types of livestock. In 2002 just under three quarters of horses exported to non-EU countries were pure bred breeding animals and the five most common destinations (accounting for almost 70 per cent of non-EU horse exports) were the USA, Dubai Australia, Switzerland and Canada. In 2002 the UK exported live poultry to 64 countries outside the EU. The five most common destinations (accounting for just under 50 per cent of non-EU live poultry exports) were Thailand, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

Table 4.6.2 Exports of live animals from the UK

Source: HM Customs and Excise, Defra
(a) HM Customs and Excise data have been adjusted using data from ANIMO for exports from Great Britain to the EU

4.6.5 Table 4.6.3 shows trade in other types of live animals for 2002. Overseas trade is classified using a series of commodity codes and standard industrial trade codes. Until 2001 there was one commodity code for "other live animals not specified elsewhere". In 2002 this category was split up to give more detailed information. The new codes cover such things as primates, reptiles and exotic birds. In 2002 all the trade recorded under these codes was with non-EU countries. The number of animals exported in 2002 was very small (about 500 animals).

Table 4.6.3 Imports of other animals into the UK in 2002

Source: HM Customs and Excise

4.7 Distance from farm to markets and slaughterhouses

4.7.1 Information is not currently available on the time livestock spend in transit. Analysis based on distance travelled may underestimate the welfare implications of transit from farm to market or slaughterhouse. Some areas of Great Britain are more easily accessible than others due to geographic characteristics and the road infrastructure. Journeys covering the same distance will therefore be much longer in some places than in others. The distance travelled by animals is an important issue when considering the potential for spreading disease. The position of auction markets and slaughterhouses compared to position of livestock holdings has been analysed. Livestock are not always taken to the nearest market or slaughterhouse (e.g. if the nearest abattoir doesn't slaughter a particular type of livestock), but the analysis does give an indication of changes over time.

4.8 Farm to market

4.8.1 At June 2002 there were over 111 thousand livestock holdings in England. Using grid references the distance from these holdings to the nearest auction market that existed in 1993 has been compared with the distance from these holdings to the nearest auction market that existed in 2003. This will tend to underestimate the distance travelled, as livestock are not always taken to the nearest market, but it does illustrate changes over time. Figure 4.8.1 shows the results. Approximately 97 per cent of these English livestock holdings would have had to travel less than 30 km to an auction market in 1993. Less then 0.5 per cent would have had to travel more than 50 km from a holding to an auction market. In 2003, 87 per cent of these holdings were within 30 km of an auction market, and 3 per cent would have to travel more than 50 km.

Figure 4.8.1: Distance that would need to be travelled from a livestock holding that existed at June 2002 to get to the nearest auction market

Source: Livestock Auctioneers Association and Defra

4.8.2 Whilst there is some indication that distance from farm to market has increased, it can be seen from table 4.8.1 that the number of livestock that pass through markets has also decreased. This decrease has occurred over a number of years. The significant fall in livestock passing through markets in 2002 will almost certainly be partly attributable to a post-FMD effect.

Table 4.8.1 Throughput of livestock through markets in England and Wales, and the proportion of England and Wales slaughterings that went through markets in England and Wales

(a) markets were closed for the majority of the year due to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak
Source: Livestock Auctioneers Association, Defra

4.9 Farm to slaughterhouse

4.9.1 As can be seen in Table 4.9.1, reducing numbers of livestock coupled with such factors as increased hygiene cost has resulted in the number of abattoirs reducing significantly in recent years. These reductions can be seen to have impacted on all sizes of abattoirs across both the sheep and pig sectors with only the larger processors escaping this decline within the cattle market. However, even this more moderate decline of 9 per cent amongst the larger cattle abattoirs can be seen to be higher than the 7 per cent decline in total GB cattle slaughtering over the same period.

4.9.2 It is interesting to note that while the reduction in the total volumes of slaughterhouses available for the various animal types have seen similar declines of 35-40 per cent over the 1996-2003 period, the reduction in the volume of animals slaughtered have differed dramatically. Pig slaughtering having declined by over 38 per cent while cattle and sheep have fallen by 7 per cent and 18 per cent respectively. Needless to say this disparity between the decline in the number of slaughterhouses and slaughtering volumes is therefore being driven by factors over and above the reducing livestock numbers within both the sheep and cattle sectors.

Table 4.9.1 Number and throughput of red meat abattoirs in Great Britain by animal type

Source: Defra, Food Standards Agency, SEERAD

4.10 Livestock marketing and meat production in Great Britain

4.10.1 In 2003 almost 1.9 million home fed cattle were marketed in Great Britain (marketings are equal to slaughter plus live exports). This is a 45 per cent reduction in marketings compared with 1990. Since 1996 live cattle exports have been banned as the result of BSE control measures. Production of beef and veal in Great Britain was 568 thousand tonnes in 2003, a fall of 34 per cent since 1990. A large part of this reduction is due to the introduction of the Over Thirty Months scheme in 1996 that ensures that no cattle over thirty months of age enter the human food chain.

4.10.2 Home fed sheep marketings in Great Britain have fallen by just under 25 per cent between 1990 and 2003. Production of mutton and lamb in Great Britain fell by almost 20 per cent over the same period. The FMD outbreak in 2001 had a large impact on sheep marketings and whilst there has been some recovery since then, marketings are still significantly lower than they were prior to FMD.

4.10.3 Home fed marketings of pigs in Great Britain fell by almost 40 per cent between 1990 and 2003 and pig meat production fell by 30 per cent. This decline started in 1998 and has continued since then. Lack of profitability in the industry, cheap imports, disease and problems with sow productivity (i.e. number of piglets per sow) have all contributed to the decline.

4.10.4 In contrast to the cattle, sheep and pig sectors there has been an increase in the number of poultry slaughtered in Great Britain. Between 1990 and 2003 poultry slaughterings increased by 25 per cent, and meat production rose by 34 per cent.

4.10.5 Figure 4.10.1 shows the production of meat, by species, for Great Britain. In 2003 just over 2.9 million tonnes of meat was produced in Great Britain. Poultry meat accounted for almost half of this production, with beef and pig meat each accounting for 20 per cent and lamb accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. In 1990 poultry meat accounted for 34 per cent of production, pig meat 28 per cent, beef 27 per cent and lamb 11 per cent.

Table 4.10.1 Home fed livestock marketings and meat production in Great Britain

Source: Defra, SEERAD

Figure 4.10.1: Meat production by type in Great Britain

Source: Defra

4.11 Household consumption of meat and meat products

4.11.1 The Expenditure and Food Survey (EFS) replaced the National Food Survey (NFS) and the Family Expenditure Survey (FES) at the end of March 2001. The EFS is a continuous survey of households in the United Kingdom commissioned jointly by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Defra. As a result of improved recording methods the EFS shows higher consumption figures overall. A methodology has been developed to provide scaling factors for adjusting the NFS results to allow comparison with the EFS results. Figure 4.11.1 shows how household meat and fish consumption has changed since 1975. In 1975 approximately 37 per cent of the meat and fish consumed by households in Great Britain was in the form of carcase meat, 14 per cent was poultry, 40 per cent was other meat products and 11 per cent was fish. Over time these proportions have changed, with a smaller proportion now being consumed as carcase meat and more being consumed as other meat products (e.g. ready meals) and poultry. Checking the provenance of meat sold as an ingredient of a ready meal is likely to be inherently more difficult than for carcase meat.

Figure 4.11.1: Proportion of total UK/GB household consumption of meat, fish and meat products, by product type

Source: Defra

4.11.2 Since 1965 the proportion of household expenditure that goes on food has declined from about 22 per cent to 8 per cent in 2002 and the proportion that goes on meat and meat products had decreased from 6 per cent to 2 per cent. In 2002 meat and meat products accounted for 23 per cent of expenditure on food, compared with 29 per cent in 1963 (see figure 4.11.2).

Figure 4.11.2: Total UK household expenditure on all food and on meat and meat products as a percentage of total UK household expenditure

Source: ONS

4.11.3 Whilst on average a smaller proportion of household expenditure now goes on food in general and on meat and meat products in particular this varies according to household income. The relationship between farm-gate prices and retail prices is not straightforward. However when considering strategies for animal health and welfare it will be important to consider the effect any proposals could have on retail prices, and how this could affect different income groups. Figure 4.11.3 illustrates how expenditure on all food and on meat and meat products in the UK varies according to income group. In 2001/02 the lowest income group spent 26 per cent of their net family income on food whilst the highest income group spent only 7 per cent of their net family income on food. Expenditure on meat and meat products accounted for 6 per cent of the net family income of the lowest income families but only 1 per cent of income for the highest income families.

Figure 4.11.3: UK household expenditure on all food and meat and meat products as a percentage of net family income per head and UK consumption of meat and meat products in 2001/02, by income quintile

Source: Defra

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