West Dorset MP says plans to ban live animal exports is a 'victory for animal welfare'
Chris Loder wants tougher sentences for animal cruelty
West Dorset MP Chris Loder says plans to ban live animal exports from the UK is a victory for animal welfare.
The government's launching an eight-week consultation to look at how to keep them better protected in transit.
The West Dorset MP has worked closely with the RSPCA, the British Veterinary Association and others to enable this to happen and is urging as many people as possible to support his campaign by responding to the Government consultation.
In his speech in the House of Commons, during the second reading of his Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, the MP demanded the House support and deliver the Government’s pledge to end live animal exports; saying that it was disgraceful that well-cared-for farm animals could be loaded on to a lorry and sent thousands of miles by land and sea to destinations as far as Libya and Lebanon.
Chris Loder said:
“Today’s announcement is a victory for animal welfare. It is a direct benefit of Britain leaving the EU. It is the EU’s trading rules on the movement of animals, along with the lobby from the National Farmers’ union to continue live exports for slaughter and fattening, that has enabled this cruel practice for so long.
“Bringing an end to the unnecessary suffering of animals during transport is long overdue. Through my Animal Welfare Bill, which reaches the Committee Stage early next year, I hope not only to achieve tougher custodial sentences for those who inflict the worst kinds of cruelty on innocent animals; but also to deal with the cruelty that has been happening on a mass scale, such as with live animal exports.”
Live animals commonly have to endure excessively long journeys during exports, causing distress and injury.