Published 23/05/2012

At noon on Sunday, Compassion joined a protest rally held by local activists marking one year since live animal shipments started at Ramsgate port.

Dil Peeling, Compassion's Director of Public Affairs, gave an impassioned speech, saying: "We have enough victories under our belt to encourage us to keep on carrying on. Certainly with the level of support we've being seeing here in Ramsgate, it's not a matter of if, but when."

Watch the speech in full, here.

Ramsgate is the only British port currently being used for live exports to the continent and opposition to the trade in the town is strong among local people and Thanet District Council, which owns the port.

Ramsgate port is obliged to accept shipments of live animals - mainly young calves and sheep, as it is a legal trade. Compassion and the RSPCA are working closely with groups Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE) and Thanet Against Live Exports (THALE) in Ramsgate and Thanet District Council to stop the trade completely. In the interim we are making sure that the welfare of animals being taken through the port is the top priority. We are also working with the farming and food industries and Euro MPs to find a long term sustainable solution that enables animals to stay - and be reared - in the UK instead.

Dil Peeling said: "It's clear to us that there is overwhelming local opposition to this cruel trade and this is why Compassion has pledged continued support to the people of Ramsgate in their attempts to rid their town of the shame of live animal shipments. We believe the trade should be on the hook, not on the hoof."

We couldn't do this without the help and dedication of our supporters, so Compassion would like to formally thank all those who attended the rally.

Take Action:

• Go to www.stopliveexports.com to email Thanet District Council and ask them to charge live exporters using their port more in berthing fees. Higher fees could disrupt the trade from Ramsgate.