UK ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION

The transportation and live export of animals has been hot in the media lately, with the European Union (EU) voting on live export restrictions and the UK government introducing new legislation covering the transportation of animals within the UK and beyond. Animal Justice Project believes that prohibiting the transport of farmed animals is key to changing animal agriculture and ultimately animal exploitation.

Brand-new legislation, which will be the second Animal Welfare Bill in the UK, is currently undergoing Bill passage. The proposed Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will see new provisions about the welfare of certain kept animals that are in Great Britain and those who are imported and exported. The legislation includes new powers to fight puppy smuggling, a ban on keeping primates as companion animals and greater protection for animals during transportation.

The new Bill, which has so far passed three stages in the House of Commons, should be completed in the coming months. One huge issue is that the legislative changes, particularly for animals during transport, have been formulated in consultations with the farming industry. Although a public consultation was held, during which Animal Justice Project added an abolitionist stance calling for a ban on transporting animals on farms for breeding, fattening and slaughter, the new law will work within the industry’s existing frameworks.

During transportation, animals can face hours of distress in overcrowded conditions, no access to food or water and extreme weather conditions. The needs of animals are never a priority, rather, money and efficiency come first.

The live export trade from the UK has been slowly declining for many years, and activists have fought for decades to see a ban implemented. This is going to be a huge win when the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is introduced, as we should see a ban on the live exports of animals for slaughter and fattening. This will primarily affect the export of calves and sheep and, discouragingly, will not include birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys.

New regulations, for journeys over 65km, will see shorter maximum journey lengths (between four and 24 hours, depending on the species), giving animals more headroom and enforcing stricter rules for transport during extreme hot and cold temperatures.

The Bill still has to face the House of Lords and gain Royal Assent, but we hope that within just a few months this Bill should bring in a ban of the live export of calves and sheep.

‍

‍

EU LIVE ANIMAL EXPORTS

900,000 European citizens have called on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to ban cruel live exports, resulting in a vote for changes in the law.

Members of the European Parliament had a real opportunity to impact the lives of millions of animals, yet they unreservedly failed. The vote, which took place on January 20, could have banned the live export of unweaned calves, under 35 days old, as well as heavily pregnant cows. The export of tiny, fragile calves to mainland Europe and beyond is vital to Ireland’s dairy industry and, if a ban would have been brought in, new facilities may have been needed throughout Ireland to house these seemingly unwanted calves.

Although the vote would not have seen a total ban on live exports, which Animal Justice Project is strongly in favour of, prohibiting unweaned calves from being exported on long, dangerous journeys would have a massive impact on Irish dairies, both financially and practically.

The Parliament Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport (ANIT) put forward the recommendations including a ban on sea journeys over 24 hours and any journeys outside of the EU. MEPs FAILED animals. Results included: calves under 28 days can still be transported up to 50km, exported from 28 days old, and heavily pregnant cows can still be transported on stressful journeys of up to four hours.

A 2021 report revealed that the EU may be responsible for up to 80% of the global trade in live farmed animals, including journeys that take weeks, to countries such as Uganda and Thailand. 1.6 BILLION live animals, including chickens, pigs, sheep, goats and cows were moved across borders in 2019. From Ireland alone, 150,000 unweaned calves were exported last year.

The Irish dairy industry has been hitting back and lobbying against legislative change. Dermot Kelleher, President of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association stated, “Be under no illusion: Ireland needs calf exports”. MEPs have favoured farmers’ profits over the welfare of animals.

Animal transportation is an area that Animal Justice Project plans to further highlight, moving forward. Whether animals are intensively-reared, ‘free-range’ or organic, they must all be transported through distressing journeys. With your help, we can reach more members of the public to show them why this unnecessary cruelty needs to stop.

As always,

For the animals.

‍