London, 14th June 2023
Today (Wednesday 14th June) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is supporting the ‘Ban live exports’ international awareness day. This annual awareness day is joined by NGOs, charities, campaigners, and politicians across the globe.
Following the announcement from Defra that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will be discontinued, Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is using this year’s awareness day to urgently call for a Bill to end live exports to be brought forward as soon as possible.
The Kept Animals Bill, a Government Bill which delivered three Manifesto pledges, had its First Reading more than two years ago, but was discontinued last month. It would have ended live exports for fattening and slaughter, tackled puppy smuggling, and ended the keeping of primates as pets, amongst other measures.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation on two occasions that he would support the Bill’s passage to becoming law [media available below].
Historically the UK has exported many farmed animals on long journeys to countries including France, the Netherlands, and Belgium to be fattened or slaughtered. Additionally, calves are transported at a very young age to Spain for fattening. These journeys typically last between 18 hours and several days.
Conservative MP and animal welfare champion Andrea Jenkyns is leading a petition to see the Kept Animals Bill delivered, which you can view and sign here.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “Today we are united with many NGOs, charities, and campaigners around the world in our call for an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter. Farmed animals endure long, gruelling journeys for days or even weeks at a time – only to arrive at destinations countries which may not share our regard for animal welfare. Only legislation can prevent this practice from continuing in future, and we urge the Government to urgently bring forward a Bill to do just this.
“Last month the Kept Animals Bill was discontinued, with commitments to implement its measures through individual Bills instead. We believe today is a great opportunity for the Government to set this legislative process in motion, and take the first step towards preventing the suffering of animals as they travel overseas for fattening and slaughter.”
Media:
- Read: Rishi Sunak promises to support the Kept Animals Bill in a letter to Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation Co-Founder Lorraine Platt
- Listen: Rishi Sunak assures Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation the Kept Animals Bill will be delivered in law at a local election hustings
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Media contact: Lorraine Platt (lorraine.platt@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)
