RSPCA calls for review of livestock exports
The RSPCA has welcomed calls for a review of the livestock export trade following a debate in the House of Commons.
Gavin Grant (pictured), chief executive of the animal welfare charity, said MPs across all parties recognised that animals were suffering and were determined to do something about it.
Mr Grant said he challenged the view that supervised loading of livestock due to be shipped across the English Channel was acceptable.
His comments came after farm minister David Heath announced a tightening of the animal welfare rules surrounding livestock exports.
Mr Grant said: “Our inspectors who are at the port for every sailing see that this is no substitute for proper inspections of the animals at the port.”
The RSPCA is currently considering taking on a Judicial Review in the High Court into live exports, following Thanet Council’s recent decision to pull out of a Judicial Review.
Events such as an incident at Ramsgate on 12 September – when more than 40 sheep died or were humanely destroyed – should never be allowed to happen again, said the RSPCA.
Shadow DEFRA minister Huw Irranca-Davies said most people wanted to see an increase in the export of meat, rather than animals, and slaughter as close to the place of origin as possible.
There were also calls to adopt a maximum eight-hour journey time.
However, MP Thomas Doherty said limiting journey times to eight hours would not in itself guarantee high levels of animal welfare.
To avoid a repeat of the Ramsgate incident, David Heath confirmed that all animals will be inspected on loading, rather than at the port.