The government wants your views on live export
The environment secretary wants feedback on transport for slaughter, with all options including a ban considered
A POTENTIAL ban on live exports could protect horses who enter the food chain.
The environment secretary, Michael Gove, has launched a call for views on the live export of animals for slaughter once the UK leaves the European Union.
“All animals deserve respect and care at every stage of life,” said Mr Gove. “This call begins to deliver on our manifesto commitment, to control the export of live animals for slaughter once we leave the EU.”
Views are sought from across the industry, including charities and the public, on how the government might raise standards
of welfare during transport for slaughter. All options including a ban on live exports are being considered.
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) welcomed the consultation.
“No animal should be subjected to unnecessary longdistance travel prior to slaughter,” said Lucy Grieve, chair of BEVA’s ethics and welfare committee.
“Horses, as with other species, may be subjected to needless stress and compromised welfare by such journeys.
“There is a perfectly good alternative which allows high welfare standards to be maintained, whereby the animal is slaughtered in the country of origin and the meat can afterwards be transported to the destination country.”
LACK OF TRACEABILITY
WORLD HORSE WELFARE chief executive Roly Owers said the charity will be providing evidence and “strongly encourages” all those involved in horse transport and slaughter to respond, including vets, transporters and ferry operators.
“Officially no horses have been exported for slaughter from the UK for decades,” he told H&H.
“We question this reality as horses are imported and exported for many reasons and, without proper traceability, there is no way to guarantee that a horse declared as being exported for riding is not sold at a market for meat.
“We have always advocated short finite journey limits for horses being transported to slaughter and fully support the principle that equines should not be either exported or imported for slaughter.”
Mr Owers added that the call provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of additional measures being put in place at our borders once we leave the EU, including better assessment on compliance with the law. This includes checks on the reason for transporting a horse and its fitness for transportation.