Live exports from the UK must stop

Live exports from the UK are cruel and unnecessary but UK sheep and calves face a renewed threat of export despite public opposition.

In 2010 the numbers of animals exported from Great Britain had dropped to 4000 sheep and no calves. But by April 2011, more than 4,000 sheep and 600 calves had been exported. Initially the animals were sent through the port of Dover but following damage to the berth there, the exporter company moved its operations to Ramsgate.

From May 2011 to December 2011 there were 32 crossings carrying 143 lorry loads of sheep and 39 lorry loads of calves.

In addition, there is a substantial export trade in young calves from Northern Ireland to the continent.

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Inhumane conditions

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Many of these exported calves will be reared in conditions that would be illegal in the UK. Sheep exported for slaughter often travel in cramped trucks, sometimes with failed water tanks and ventilation systems. Some of these animals may die during their dreadful journey.

Compassion wants to see an end to live exports and to see a maximum journey time across Europe of eight hours to slaughter or for further fattening. We believe that farm animals should be reared and slaughtered as close as possible to the farm where they are born.

Local opposition to shipping animals through Ramsgate

We applaud Thanet District Councillor Ian Driver for his determination to stop live animal exports from Ramsgate. Ian was a leading force in setting up a recent public meeting

Peter Skinner, Member of the European Parliament, also calls for an end to the live export of sheep and calves from Ramsgate. In a press release, he said:

“Science shows that long distance transport too often causes unnecessary suffering to the lambs and calves. Due to the exhaustion, dehydration and stress on the young animals the level of disease and even death can be high.”

Compassion’s CEO at the meeting in Ramsgate

We need a change in the law

This trade is unnecessary and cruel. But Ramsgate port is legally unable to ban the trade due to an Act dating from 1847! We need to get this legislation brought into the 21st century, and we need an 8 hour maximum journey time for live animal transport.

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