UK government ignores its own review....ho hum

Turns out its not just Aust that ignores its own reviews. The UK RSPCA has launched a petition calling on the UK Government to release a live export report submitted by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee 15 months ago.

Leaked details indicate that the report recommends improving lorry and ship standards and reducing journey times, a move which would effectively end live exports from the nation.

The government had confirmed it is “actively considering” how to implement its manifesto commitment to end the trade ie usual government sidestepping.

Every year thousands of sheep are exported from Ramsgate to be driven across Europe for slaughter and dairy calves can also be exported from Scotland to Spain in journeys that can take 96 hours, where they are reared for veal and beef.

Chris Sherwood, UK RSPCA Chief Executive, echoed the same concerns that have been raised in Australia about the industry here: It's unacceptable and completely unnecessary that animals are still being subjected to long journeys, often in stressful conditions with poor law enforcement. These long journeys can cause animals to suffer from fear, exhaustion, dehydration, temperature extremes and lack of food, water or rest. There is no control over where they end up, what conditions they're then kept in or how they're slaughtered.

See: RSPCA press release: https://www.rspca.org.uk/-/uk-government-actively-considering-ending-live-exports
See Maritime Executive: https://www.maritime-executive.com/corporate/uk-government-considers-ending-live-exports
Petition: https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/stopliveexports