The Prohibition of live animal exports will have it's second reading this week, on the 26th of October 2018, which is this Friday. The bill, if passed, would make live animal exports illegal.
What Are Live Animal Exports?
Live animal exports are when animals are shipped, usually in lorries and ferries from one country to another to be slaughtered or used as veal. Often these animals can travel from one country through several other countries before they reach their final destination to be slaughtered. These live animal exports can last for days; where animals are confined in small containers, which are too warm. They can often go a day without a break or water. And they never are let out of the small containers they are confined in - unless they are being moved from one container to another.
If you want to know more about live animal exports, you can watch the recent BBC documentary called Discloser. Which you can find on BBC iPlayer here.
Where Are Live Animal Exports Legal?
Live animal exports are currently legal throughout the UK, Ireland and throughout the European Union. Compassion in World Farming says that millions of animals throughout the European Union are subjected to cruel live animal exports every year. These millions of animals are transported throughout the European Union, while also the East. The EU allows live animal exports to happen throughout the EU and allows European countries to ship their animals on long journeys to the Middle East.
With Brexit, the UK government has the opportunity to ban these live animal exports, which this bill is proposing to do. If passed, this bill will put an end to live animal exports outside of the UK. The exception to this is Northern Ireland, where animal exports can happen between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The bill will cover Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. A bill which is an opportunity for better animal protection and welfare, and a bill which a step in the right direction.
Please contact your MP and ask them to support this bill! You can find information about the bill here.