December 7, 2020

UK considers suspending export of live animals for slaughter

The United Kingdom's Environment Secretary has revealed plans to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening.

The proposals form part of an eight-week consultation, launched on December 3 in England and Wales, seeking views on how to better protect animal welfare during transport.

Previously, EU rules prevented any changes to these transports, but leaving the European Union has enabled the UK government to pursue these plans which would "prevent unnecessary suffering of animals during transport" and would make the UK the first country in Europe to end this practice, according to the government.

The government is also consulting on proposals to further improve animal welfare in transport more generally, such as reduced maximum journey times; animals being given more space and headroom during transport; stricter rules on transporting animals in extreme temperatures; and tighter rules for transporting live animals by sea.

Around 6,400 animals were transported from the UK directly to slaughter in continental Europe in 2018, based on internal figures.

The measure on live exports will not impact on poultry exports or exports for breeding purposes, the government said.

- UK Government