Still to be further updated with photos
Well folks, personally for me it has taken what ? – around 40+ years of campaigning to get to where we are now – read on below.
To be honest, the last four years or so have been a roller coaster of ‘yes it will be banned’ followed by ‘no it will not be banned’ statements. A few years back I did the official government consultation on the issue of live animal exports; and expectations were high as with past campaigning on this issue, I knew that almost all of the British people were against the trade, and at the time, in PM Boris Johnson, we had a PM who would push the legislation for a ban through Parliament.
Thins have changed now as we no longer have Boris at the helm and we have seen Bills such as the ‘animal kept Bill’ which would have banned the export trade, scrapped by the current government at the last minute.
But anyway, what fantastic news today, with the implementation of the ‘Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill 2023-24’ which will make it an offence to export from or through Great Britain live livestock for slaughter outside the British Islands, we have reason to celebrate as we now join up with campaigner friends in New Zealand; the only other nation that has officially banned the export of live animals.
As explained below, it is only through Brexit and getting free from the shackles of the EU that the UK has been able to do this. We as a nation have taken back control and are reverting to making law for our own citizens; without the dreg of EU legislation hanging over us.
I would suggest that you look at the following which gives a basic overview on the legislation and some of the basic reasons whilst it has gotten to the situation it has currently arrived at.
The following is a good summary:
Full Parliamentary report:
So where do we go now ? – Europe, to be basic. I / we have campaigned in Europe for decades on the issue of live animal transport. With the issue of caged animals and the need to set them free through the citizens initiative, the EU Commission is under huge pressure to act for the welfare of animals. The UK export ban issue is another thing that can be thrown at them as a reason why they need to act and act now. Thousands and thousands of live animals are trucked across every day; and they should not be; just as live EU animals should not be exported outside of the EU to meet the gruesome deaths that await them.
We have plenty to go on, and so the work continues. To ‘win’ after 40+ years of campaigning does not really seem true – we had a glass of wine lunchtime to celebrate what in reality is a massive victory; but also to remember all those who fought so hard for the cause here in UK but who are no longer with us. So this is for them, the Mike Tucker,
the Carla Lane, wonderful Barb
Below – Dover – Barb gives a hug to my dog ‘Golda’.
… and so many others who fought but have not seen this campaign get to where it is now – a ban on the export of slaughter and further fattening animals from the UK.
Related information and WAV posts on this:
UK: The Abhorrent Export Trade In Live Animals Is About To End, – World Animals Voice – from Selina.
Search Results for “uk live exports” – World Animals Voice
John Callaghan – England: Another Terrible Loss – John Callaghan. – World Animals Voice
“John often used to hitch a ride in my car which I had taken to the Netherlands as part of the job. We shared many hours on the road; laughing, talking and generally trying to have a good time in work that we both knew the live animal export business caused immense suffering to – innocent, sentient beings”.
Carla Lane – England: Hope ! – World Animals Voice
Below – ‘Hope’
Read more at About Us. | Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
The betrayal of exported British horses – Microsoft Word – EXH6.doc (wordpress.com)
Job Done !
Regards Mark
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill 2023-24 will make it an offence to export from or through Great Britain live livestock for slaughter outside the British Islands. It was introduced to the House of Commons on 4 December and the second reading was undertaken as scheduled for 18 December 2023.
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill 2023-24 was introduced to the House of Commons on 4 December 2023 as a bill to make provision to prohibit the live export of certain livestock, such as cattle, sheep and pigs, from Great Britain for slaughter. Second reading is scheduled for 18 December 2023.
The government has said that the UK’s departure from the EU gives it the freedom to implement such a ban. The Conservative Manifesto for the 2017 and 2019 General Elections included commitments to control the live exports of livestock.
The provisions in this Bill progress those that were included in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to end the export of livestock for fattening and slaughter. To criticism from animal welfare organisations, the government said in May 2023 that it would not pursue the Kept Animals Bill but would implement various measures separately. Those organisations welcome the new bill but urge the government to deliver its proposals quickly.
Live animals have long been exported to EU countries from the UK for breeding, fattening, and slaughter. There have been long running campaigns, including the RSPCA’s Stop Live Exports campaign, to end such exports. This reflects concerns that animals transported to Europe suffer from unnecessarily long journeys, experiencing stress, exhaustion, thirst and rough handling.
Although, for practical reasons, the last exports for fattening or slaughter were in December 2020, the Bill will ban them permanently. It will make it an offence to send, transport, organise transport (or attempt to send, transport or organise transport) for livestock for export from or through Great Britain for fattening and slaughter outside the British Islands. The ban applies to a range of livestock including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs and wild boar, but not poultry. Live exports, including of racehorses, will still be permitted for breeding, competitions and races.
The provisions do not apply to Northern Ireland and journeys within the island of Ireland are not covered. However, they do apply to journeys transiting through Great Britain to a destination outside the British Islands, for example to those that begin in Northern Ireland or EU Member States such as the Republic of Ireland, transit through Great Britain and are destined for a country or territory outside the British Islands.
The Opposition welcomed previous provisions in the Kept Animals Bill, which it said had included many Labour Party policies on animal welfare.
The ban on exports may need to be defended against World Trade Organisation rules which require countries to apply non-discriminatory rules (so-called ‘most favoured nation’ rules) to trade. Case precedents indicate that exceptions under WTO rules may apply to ethical and animal welfare provisions, however this issue is not clear cut. Challenges can only be bought by other signatory countries. There has been no indication as to whether other countries may wish to challenge the government over the Bill’s measures.
Further reading:
The following is a good summary:
Full Parliamentary report:
World Animals Voice 