UK Live Export Update

Ther 14^th June this year (2023) was the Ban Live Exports International Awareness Day.You can see some of our past awareness day posts by clicking here – Search Results for “ban live export awareness day” – World Animals Voice

This year, 120 NGO’s from 31 nations took part in the day of action; encouraging their supporters to raise awareness, gather support and push for legislative changes that improve the welfare of animals in transport and to also ban live exports.

Across Europe, citizens sent 464,586 digital postcards to EU Ministers urging them to support change.

In the UK – In May this year the UK government reneged on its manifesto promise to deliver a live exports ban; when it dropped the ‘Kept Animals Bill’.  In July, there was a funeral themed photo stunt outside of Parliament, urging the UK Government not to allow its promise to ban the trade to go to the grave !

In September, Dame Joanna Lumley submitted over 95,000 signatures regarding the same to No. 10 Downing Street, calling for the Prime Minister to show true leadership for animals by banning live exports.  In October, CIWF helped organise an ‘MP Walk In’ session in Parliament, briefing MP’s on the issue.

Then suddenly, few weeks ago, campaigners warmly welcomed during the State Opening of Parliament by HRH King Charles, which outlines all the work to be undertaken by government in the next Parliamentary session, a new Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill which will ban the live export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for both slaughter and further fattening from Britain.

This is a huge step forward towards ending this disgusting trade from the UK; especially as it has now been detailed in the State Opening for passing into legislation in this next parliamentary session.  Now the Government must listen to its people (as they work for us !) and deliver the ban on the archaic practice of transporting live animals on long and arduous journeys overseas for both slaughter and fattening once and for all.  In the past and more recently, we have all seen a series of broken promises by the Government on this issue; so the latest session news is most welcome.  The Bill must now be passed as a matter of urgency; and with a General Election at most 1 year away, the government knows it will get a big no vote at the ballot box if it fails its citizens again.

Regards Mark

Personally, I have campaigned and investigated live animal exports from the UK for the last 35+ years.  You can read and see a lot more about it by visiting  About Us. | Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)