Livestock traceability and health services: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

Policy aims: Scottish Ministers have statutory responsibility for maintaining records of animal identification, registration, movement and health. In order to meet this obligation, Livestock Traceability and Health Services are supplied by an external provider on behalf of Ministers. The Services allow the livestock sector to comply with mandatory reporting to Scottish Ministers, which enables national and international trade and underpins livestock health and food safety. The Services therefore contribute to both the following National Outcomes: Economy and Fair Work and Business.

EQIA scope: the focus of this EQIA is the livestock sector but particularly livestock farmers, who are the main users of the Livestock Traceability and Health Services.

Key findings: the EQIA considered the needs of the livestock sector, noting that a significant proportion of farmers are aged 65 or over and that dyslexia may be over-represented in this community. The key finding was that the Livestock Traceability and Health Services must continue to incorporate a helpline staffed by appropriately experienced and trained staff, who understand the cultural aspects of farming in Scotland, to ensure that the Services are fully accessible to all users.

Recommendations: introduce continuous improvement via monthly reflection on user satisfaction and any barriers experienced by users. Findings will inform changes, resulting in an even more accessible service.