New laws banning live export of animals for slaughter have been welcomed by Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet. This trade can give rise to severe animal suffering because of excessively long journeys and potentially inhumane treatment at the eventual destination.
Theresa first got involved in the campaign when she served in the European Parliament between 1999 and 2005.
She was the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2019 who first committed the Government to ending live exports. She secured a Conservative manifesto pledge on this issue which included a promise to ban animals being sent abroad for fattening, as well as those due to be slaughtered. Inclusion of fattening exports was an important change, closing a potential loophole in the proposed ban.
Welcoming the news that Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passed its final parliamentary stage today and will now go to HM the King for Royal Assent, Theresa said "This ban has been a long time coming. For years, single market rules meant the UK had to allow live exports to continue; but leaving the EU has given us the freedom to bring this cruelty to an end."
"Transporting live animals over long distances in poor conditions to destinations with lower animal welfare standards than ours is wrong and immoral. Animals reared in this country should be protected by our high animal welfare standards, not sent overseas without proper protections. Meat should be exported on the hook not the hoof."
"I want to pay tribute to all the thousands of people who campaigned to end live exports, who turned out for rallies and protests, and who signed petitions. This is a victory for everyone who cares about compassionate treatment of animals. Thanks also need to go to NGOs like Compassion in World Farming, the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, and the RSPCA. They and many other groups worked hard to deliver this reform. Now I hope other countries might consider following the lead we have set on this issue."
Digital imprint: Promoted by Theresa Villiers of 163 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5SU.
