New Bill will end live export for slaughter

When it becomes law, a Bill introduced at Parliament on 4 December will ban the export of livestock for slaughter and fattening purposes 

A new Bill, entitled the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill, has been presented to Parliament aimed at banning the live animal export from Great Britain of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs for slaughter and fattening. This legislation follows a 2020 consultation on ending live animal exports in which 87% of respondents agreed that livestock should not be exported in this way for the purposes of slaughter or fattening.

Live exports for other specific circumstances, such as breeding and competing, will still be permitted provided animals are transported in line with the legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare.

This legislation is only now possible as a result of the UK leaving the EU, and it will stop animals enduring unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury on long journeys. The Bill is one part of a wider government effort to enhance the UK’s existing world-leading animal welfare standards.

World Horse Welfare organised campaigns urging the UK Government to act on this issue and called on animal lovers to email their local MPs, asking them to ensure smooth passage of this Bill through the House of Commons.

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “We are delighted that the government has introduced this Bill and will put its muscle behind making it law. We know horses are being exported for slaughter ‘under the radar’ despite none being officially declared for this purpose.

“This Bill will finally make it illegal, something we have been campaigning for since our charity’s foundation. We look forward to working with Defra to ensure that the right measures are put in place to enforce this hugely significant piece of legislation.”

Photo credit – Ronald Rampsch