A legislation that will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain has been introduced.
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill was discussed in Parliament yesterday (December 4) , and delivers on a key manifesto commitment to ban the export of live animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses.
The aim of the bill is to end the suffering of animals undergoing the stress of long journeys overseas, and the potential injuries that may occur as a result.
The bill will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically in high-welfare slaughterhouses. It also will further enforce Britain’s position as a world leader on animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat as a result.
Since the publication of the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, Britain has:
- Backed a ban on glue traps;
- Introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences;
- Introduced legislation on compulsory cat microchipping;
- Brought the ivory ban into force, and announced an extension to cover other ivory bearing species.
According to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steven Barclay: “[Britain] has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.
“This bill makes use of post-Brexit freedoms to strengthen these standards by preventing the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening – which we know causes animals unnecessary stress and injury.”
Live exports for competitive and breeding purposes will still be permitted, provided animals are transports in-line with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare.
Chief executive officer (CEO) of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Philip Lymbery, commented on the bill:
“We urge a speedy passage for this long-awaited measure, to ensure that the export of unweaned calves on journeys often lasting 60 hours or more will finally be banned, and that a line will be drawn under the practice of sending sheep on journeys that can last many days.
“We have campaigned relentlessly for over 50 years to make this cruel and outdated practice illegal, so we are delighted the government is taking action to end this trade, finally consigning it to the history book,” Lymbery said.
The British government have already introduced new statutory welfare codes for pigs, laying hens and meat chickens, which includes the banning of conventional battery cages for hens, and compulsory installation of CCTV in slaughterhouses.
Kerry Postlewhite, assistant director of campaigns and prevention at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), said:
“It is great that the new secretary has shown such strong and enthusiastic support previously for a ban on live exports – and we look forward to this policy becoming a reality.”
