Update (8 November 2023):
The government has announced a new bill, the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill, which will make the live export of some animals for fattening and slaughter illegal. The bill, which was introduced by King Charles in his State Opening of Parliament speech, must gain the full support of both houses to swiftly become law so that live exports from England cannot resume. Please help ensure this happens!
Original post:
Every year, hundreds of thousands of animals are crammed into lorries and ships for journeys from the UK to the EU and beyond that can last days or even weeks. They’re sent abroad for fattening and slaughter. They lose any legal protections afforded to them in the UK when they leave, and at their destination, they typically endure horrendous conditions that would be illegal in the UK and face an even more violent death than they would experience here.
Live animals, including babies and pregnant animals, are transported hundreds or even thousands of miles in dangerous conditions in all weather extremes, causing distress, injuries, and disease. They can be in transit for days, often without sufficient food, water, or rest. Many die as a result.
Animals are commonly subjected to excessively long journeys and severe crowding and may be left waiting in lorries at ports for hours on end. In addition to the routine suffering endured by animals when they are transported live over long distances, the journeys can result in fires and ships may sink, causing the horrifying deaths of large numbers of animals. In June 2022, more than 15,000 sheep drowned when a live-export ship capsized in the Red Sea.
Transporting live animals thousands of miles in cramped, filthy conditions is also a major cause of the spread of zoonotic diseases around the world – from foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza to SARS.
The live-export trade is dangerous and cruel, and it must be stopped.
What You Can Do
The government has long promised to end live export. It committed to a ban in its 2019 manifesto and its 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare. It’s time to put words into action.
Personalising your e-mail is best, but here's a template you can use as is or amend as you wish.