London, 18th December 2023
Today (Monday 18th December) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Second Reading of the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill in the House of Commons, led by Secretary of State Steve Barclay MP and Minister Mark Spencer MP. This follows the First Reading which took place on 4th December.
During the Second Reading, several Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation Patrons and MPs contributed, including Anna Firth MP and Theresa Villiers MP. In her speech, Theresa Villiers MP described the “shocking conditions” animals endure on overseas journeys including injuries, hunger, thirst and inability to rest. Mark Francois MP also spoke in support of the Bill, and highlighted the years of work spent tirelessly campaigning on this issue by late CAWF Patron and friend Sir David Amess MP.
Secretary of State Steve Barclay MP opened the debate and said the Bill will “cement our position as a world leader on animal welfare“. In his concluding remarks, Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP said this legislation “signals to our international partners our firm commitment to improving animal welfare standards for all kept animals and reinforces our position as a global leader on this important issue“.
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will ban the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury caused by exporting live animals. You can read more about the Bill here.
The commitment to end live exports for fattening and slaughter honours a popular Conservative Party Manifesto commitment and delivers an important component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
Since the founding of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation in 2016, ending live exports for fattening and slaughter has been a core campaign. Historically Great Britain has exported large numbers of sheep and calves abroad to France and as far afield as Spain. Overcrowding means that some cannot lie down at all, while those who do may be injured or trampled to death. They can be in transit for days, suffering extremes of temperature and often without sufficient food, water or rest.
Animals may end up in countries with far poorer welfare standards than our own, enduring practices which are illegal in the UK such as veal crates. Calves placed into the Dutch white veal pen systems, where they are unable to perform natural behaviour, are barely able to turn around.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation would like to thank the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP, Secretary of State for Defra Steve Barclay MP, and the Defra team for their continued support for this critical measure which will spare many animals the suffering they endure on long journeys overseas.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation briefing on the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill can be read here.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “We are delighted the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passed its Second Reading in Parliament today. It was fantastic to see such resounding support for this critical Bill from MPs across the political spectrum, including many of our CAWF Patrons.
“Through enacting this legislation, the Government will be honouring a key Manifesto commitment, as well as an important component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare. It will spare countless animals the suffering they endure on journeys overseas for fattening and slaughter and help set Great Britain apart as a world leader in animal welfare.
“We are grateful to Secretary of State Steve Barclay and Minister Mark Spencer for leading the Bill, and to the wider Defra team for their hard work on this important subject. We look forward to supporting the Committee Stage in due course.”
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: Sophia Stileman (sophia.stileman@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)
