The British Parliament on Tuesday approved a ban on the export of live farm animals, a new move for the United Kingdom that stands out from the European Union (EU), where the practice is still in effect.
This Farm Animal Welfare Bill would end the export of thousands of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, wild boar and horses for slaughter or fattening to or through England, Wales and Scotland.
Already approved by the elected representatives of the House of Commons (lower house of parliament), the text was approved this Tuesday by the House of Lords (upper house). It will be enshrined in law once it receives the “royal seal”, which is a formality.
Emma Slawinski, leader of British animal welfare organization the RSPCA, which has campaigned for the ban for nearly 50 years, called it a “remarkable achievement.”
“In the 1990s, more than a million animals were removed from the UK (every year). This is a disgusting trade. Animal suffering is intense and prolonged, and travel takes days rather than hours. will happen,” he emphasized.
The proposal was first formulated in 2017 by British Conservatives and presented as a “Brexit advantage” – European Union (EU) trade rules that prevent member states from banning the export of live animals to other countries in the union.
“This is a great day. For decades, farm animals supported this pointless export to the continent, but not anymore,” said Philip Limbery, Director General of CIWF (Compassion in World Agriculture).
During Tuesday’s vote, several members of the upper house complained that the law did not apply in Northern Ireland, where, under post-Brexit rules, some EU rules continue to apply, particularly on trade matters.
Farm animal welfare non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have called on the EU to also ban the export of live animals to third countries, but this option was recently ruled out by the European Commission.
In its proposal to revise the rules at the end of 2023, which is still under negotiation, it chose to tighten requirements for the condition of boats and the good treatment of animals on board.
Elsewhere around the world, Australia has committed to ending live sheep exports by 2028.
New Zealand has also banned the export of live cattle by sea from April 2023.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.