UK initiates consultation on banning live export

The UK is undertaking an eight-week consultation on animal welfare including the banning of live animals for slaughter and fattening.
Leaving the EU has enabled the UK Government to pursue the plans, and if successful, it would become the first country in Europe to end the practice.
The government is also consulting on proposals to reduce maximum journey times, provide more space and headroom during transport, enact stricter rules on transporting animals in extreme temperatures and tightening rules for transporting live animals by sea.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We are committed to improving the welfare of animals at all stages of life. Today marks a major step forward in delivering on our manifesto commitment to end live exports for slaughter.
“Now that we have left the EU, we have an opportunity to end this unnecessary practice. We want to ensure that animals are spared stress prior to slaughter.”
The move is part of UK plans to strengthen its position as a world leader on animal welfare.
VALE looks forward to seeing if the government will be true to its word after the consultation.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-consults-on-ending-live-animal-exports-for-slaughter
See: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/03/uk-to-become-first-country-in-europe-to-ban-live-animal-exports