RSPCA Ramsgate live exports bid rejected
The RSPCA has vowed to fight on after its latest legal bid to stop live animals being exported from Ramsgate port failed.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the charity had asked the High Court to allow a judicial review into the regulation of the legal trade at a hearing in London on Thursday (21 March).
The RSPCA had strongly criticised the government handling of live animal exports from the port of Ramsgate to Calais, supervised by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA).
The animal welfare charity said there were “serious implications” for animal welfare due to a “lack of proper facilities to deal with emergencies” at Ramsgate port.
The use of the vessel MV Joline – an old tank transporter to ship animals across the Channel in rough weather – and failure to inspect animals thoroughly as they were loaded aboard the ship were “unacceptable”, it claimed.
The RSPCA had requested the oral hearing after a judge originally refused the charity permission to bring a judicial review in February.
But at the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, a second judge, Mr Justice Ouseley, rejected the RSPCA’s request, ruling there was no arguable case for a full hearing.
Speaking after the hearing, the RSPCA vowed to fight on and said it would consider whether to seek permission to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
RSPCA chief legal officer Ray Goodfellow said: “We are very disappointed by today’s decision. We believe we have a strong case – the Port of Ramsgate is inadequate for the safe and humane handling of live animal exports because there are no facilities at or very near the port enabling the immediate unloading of animals in the event of a welfare emergency.
“The inspections being carried out at the port have been cursory and the Joline, a converted flat-bottomed, open deck former tank transporter has been permitted to sail with sheep on board in atrocious weather in up to force 5 gales and worse.”
Commenting on the decision, Philip Lymbery, of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), said: “We have been campaigning against live exports from Ramsgate since they returned to the port in May 2011.
“Ramsgate is not equipped to handle animal exports, and the vessel currently being used – the MV Joline – is a converted tank carrier, not suitable for animal transport. We are amazed such shoddy arrangements continue to be used.
“Today’s decision is hugely disappointing. It could have meant the end of live exports from Ramsgate, as we believe there is a very strong case against them.”
More than 75,000 animals were transported live through Ramsgate port in 2011, according to the CIWF.
But an AHVLA spokesman said: “The RSPCA asked for that decision to be reconsidered and a judge has once more refused permission.
“AHVLA takes its responsibility for implementing regulations governing the welfare of animals during transport extremely seriously and will continue to do so thoroughly, fairly and impartially.”
In September, more than 40 sheep had to be destroyed at the port after they were found to be lame. Three sheep drowned after falling through a drain cover in a temporary penning area.
The operator of MV Joline, Barco de Vapor, has applied to use the vessel for live animal exports to and from Dover port to Calais. Berthing trials have been undertaken and Dover Harbour Board is assessing the suitability of such a move.