date:Jul 24, 2013
as been the main driver for the development of competence in these areas. Other drivers are the need to protect public health and consumer interests, the avoidance of outbreaks of animal disease and a desire to protect the wellbeing of animals. Food and animal feed are traded extensively, both within the EU and internationally, with total UK exports worth 18.2 billion in 2011. The majority of UK agricultural exports are to other EU Member States and 69% (by value) of the UKs food imports also co