Burnley and Padiham’s MP has welcomed the Government’s decision in the King’s Speech 2023 to ban live animal exports. Building on the UK’s world-leading animal welfare standards, the new Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will permanently ban the live export of animals for slaughter or fattening.
Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, there have been no live animal exports – but this new Bill will ensure that position becomes permanent, enshrining the ban in law and protecting livestock from excessively long journeys.
Commenting on the change, Antony Higginbotham MP, who has supported toughening animal welfare laws since he was elected, said:
Animal welfare is one of the issues I get contacted most about, particularly from those in our rural areas, and so I know how strongly people across Burnley and Padiham feel about the cruelty that comes with transporting live animals thousands of miles for slaughter.
Having worked closely with DEFRA Ministers, I’m pleased to see legislation proposed to ban this practice completely - something that is only possible now we’re out of the EU.
The ban will also build on the UK’s reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards, securing the premium our meat exports carry internationally, backing British farmers and boosting exports as we grow the economy.
Delivering on a manifesto commitment, the ban builds on Conservative measures to boost animal welfare including tougher sentences for animal cruelty, legislation recognising animal sentience, delivering one of the toughest bans on ivory in the world and introducing mandatory cat microchipping. All these have been delivered under the Conservatives since 2019.
Today’s King’s Speech shows the Conservative Government are focused on taking the long-term decisions needed to deliver a brighter for future for the whole county.
Commenting, Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:
I am very pleased that we are delivering our manifesto commitment by bringing in this law.
The EU’s laws prevented us from taking this step in the past, but now we’re reaping a benefit of Brexit.
This step will be a further boost for our already world-leading animal welfare standards.
Let Antony know your views though. Do you support this change? And should Antony support it when it comes to Parliament?
