NFU Deputy President, Meurig Raymond, will present the UK farming community's animal health and welfare priorities at the European Parliament in Brussels when it meets this week.

At the public hearing 'Animal welfare = Human Welfare?', Mr Raymond will call for better monitoring and enforcement of existing legislation across the EU. He will also ask MEPs to ensure that future animal welfare legislation is uniformly enforced across all member states and that any new legislation or proposals are based on a sound scientific evidence base, with a realistic impact assessment and full consultation with all interested parties.

Mr Raymond said: "This is an excellent opportunity to have our voice heard in Europe on the vital issue of animal health and welfare.

"Nobody understands the importance of good animal health and welfare more than UK livestock farmers, who are extremely proud of the high standards under which our animals are farmed. Farmers recognise that good animal health and welfare standards are an absolute in generating a profitable farming business."