World News – UK – UK Government consults to halt exports of live animals for slaughter

Plans to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening were made today (3rd. December) by the Environment Secretary at the start of a renewed government push to strengthen Britain’s position as the world leader in animal welfare.

These proposals are part of an eight week consultation launched today in England and Wales seeking views on how to better protect animal welfare during transport.

Live animals often have to travel excessively long distances during export, resulting in suffering and injury. EU rules used to prevent changes to these trips, but leaving the EU has allowed the UK government to pursue these plans which would prevent unnecessary suffering to animals during transport and make us the first country in Europe to do so Quit practice.

The government is also advising on proposals to further improve animal welfare in transport in general, such as:

We are committed to improving animal welfare in all phases of life. Today is an important step forward in implementing our manifest commitment to end the live exports for slaughter.

After we leave the EU, we have the opportunity to end this unnecessary practice. We want to make sure that the animals are not stressed before slaughter.

Around 6. 400 animals were transported directly from the UK to continental Europe for slaughter in 2018 based on internal figures.

This consultation takes into account responses to the 2018 call for evidence, as well as the report of what was then the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (now known as the Animal Welfare Committee), made up of agricultural and veterinary experts. in the existing animal welfare standards during transport.

We welcome plans to end Live Export and look forward to seeing it happen as the RSPCA has been fighting on this issue for more than 50 years.

There is absolutely no reasonable justification for taking an animal on an unnecessarily stressful trip abroad just for the sake of fattening it up for slaughter.

The end of the live exports for slaughter and the further fattening would be a milestone for animal welfare.

Compassion in World Agriculture is pleased that Defra plans to ban live exports for slaughter and fattening. We have been fighting the massive suffering caused by this inhuman, archaic trade for over 50 years. So this clear proposal is very welcome.

We urge farmers not to oppose the proposed ban but to recognize that it is an important part of moving forward into a future of high prosperity.

This announcement marks the beginning of renewed efforts by the government to raise animal welfare standards even further outside the EU, including measures to ban primates as pets and to further combat illegal smuggling of dogs and puppies, proposals to improve standards and to eliminate cruel practices that are expected to be released in the coming months.

Live Exports, Exports, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom