Overview

The Sustainable Livestock Bill mandates the Secretary of State to enhance the sustainability of the livestock industry across its entire lifecycle, from production to consumption. This involves addressing economic, social, and environmental impacts to ensure a more responsible and resilient system.

Description

This bill places a legal duty on the Secretary of State to ensure the sustainability of the UK livestock industry. This involves:

• Promoting Sustainable Practices: The bill requires consideration of sustainable practices in public procurement, information provision, research funding, waste reduction, and subsidy schemes for farmers.
• International Alignment: Policies at the international and EU level must align with the bill's sustainability goals.
• Import Reduction: The bill aims to prevent an increase in the proportion of imported meat consumed in the UK.
• Stakeholder Consultation: The Secretary of State must consult various expert groups, including farmers, processors, retailers, environmentalists, and consumer representatives.
• Progress Reporting: The Secretary of State is required to publish progress reports, including indicators of success, every two years.
• Definition of Sustainability: The bill defines "ensuring sustainability" as addressing economic, social, and environmental impacts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent biodiversity loss, promote animal welfare, protect landscapes, support farming communities, and ensure food security.

Government Spending

The bill will result in increased government expenditure. The exact cost is not specified, but it will cover the Secretary of State’s actions under the Act and any increases in spending under other existing Acts related to the bill's objectives.

Groups Affected

The bill will impact various groups:

• Farmers: May experience changes in subsidies and support based on sustainability practices.
• Processors and Manufacturers: Will need to adapt to more sustainable production methods.
• Retailers and Food Service Sector: May face changes in sourcing and labelling requirements.
• Consumers: May see changes in food prices and labelling, potentially influencing consumption patterns.
• Environmental Groups: Will have increased influence in policy direction towards greater sustainability.
• Government: Will face increased responsibilities in terms of policy implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

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