Great Britain has become the first region in Europe to ban exports of live animals destined for slaughter or fattening
The new ban became law on 20 May when the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act received Royal Assent, and only became possible post-Brexit.
This latest legislation bans the export of live cattle, sheep, and pigs for slaughter and fattening from England, Scotland, and Wales. The UK government says the move boosts the region as a leader in animal welfare stopping animals enduring stress, exhaustion, and injury on long and unnecessary export journeys.
The Act will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically in high-welfare UK slaughterhouses, also boosting the profile of British meat. The Bill will end the long-standing trade in sheep and lambs for slaughter and fattening, and calves to continental Europe veal farms. It will also apply to goats, pigs, wild boar and horses.
“We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world,” says UK Environment Secretary Steve Barclay. “Our new Act makes use of post-Brexit freedoms to deliver one of our manifesto commitments and strengthen these standards even further by preventing the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, which we know causes animals unnecessary stress and injury.”
Banning live animal exports is quite a controversial topic, but it’s being called for by many countries around the world. New Zealand and Australia have already banned or have started the process of banning live animal exports.
“After more than 50 years of campaigning, we are absolutely thrilled to see that live export of animals has been banned from Great Britain. This means British animals will no longer be sent on gruelling journeys abroad for further fattening and slaughter in cramped and poor conditions with little or no access to food or water,” says Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive.
Philip Lymbery, Global CEO at Compassion in World Farming, says, “We commend the British Government on delivering on this hugely important promise.
“Compassion in World Farming and its dedicated supporters have been campaigning to ban live exports for over 50 years. To finally see this cruel practice brought to an end is momentous for animal welfare and a day that will be celebrated for decades to come.”
Live exports in other specific circumstances, for example, for breeding and competitions, will still be allowed, provided animals are transported in line with legal requirements, which protect their welfare.
The legislation follows a consultation on ending live animal exports in which 87% of respondents agreed that livestock should not be exported for slaughter and fattening.
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