Published 28/09/2012

Live exports from Ipswich have now been suspended following an extraordinary meeting of the board of ABP Ports, who own the port of Ipswich.

Compassion in World Farming, the RSPCA and local campaigners have put sustained pressure on the ports owners since it allowed a shipment of sheep to leave from Ipswich last Friday (21st September).

ABP have cited lack of adequate facilities to handle the trade as the reason for the suspension.

Compassion supporters responded to a call for action by sending the port owners over forty thousand emails asking them to refuse further consignments.

Dil Peeling, Director of Public Affairs at Compassion in World Farming says:

"We are delighted that the owners of ABP ports have listened to this emphatic wave of public opinion and are refusing to let exports continue from Ipswich at this time.

"However, this is currently only a suspension and exports could still resume from this port. There is also a distinct possibility that exporters will seek an alternative port as they did following the previous suspension at Ramsgate.

"Although this trade now appears to be in its death throes, Compassion, along with the RSPCA, will continue campaigning on this issue until live exports from the UK are ended once and for all."