• Today’s (25th May) announcement from Defra is disgraceful and very bad news for UK farmed animals.
• In June 2021, we welcomed the Government’s publication of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill marking an important milestone for farm animal welfare in the UK.
• The Bill was set to legislate to end all live exports from Great Britain of cattle (including calves), sheep and pigs for fattening and slaughter – a manifesto commitment of the Government.
• It is a naked betrayal of trust that the Government has decided that its own Bill on the issue should now be abandoned.

Nick Palmer, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK, said:

“We are outraged that the pledge to end live exports – which was a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare – has been delegated to the uncertain future of a possible Private Member’s Bill.

“This cruel and outdated trade has been a stain on British farm animal welfare standards for far too long, and the Kept Animals Bill would have finally consigned it to the history books. But sadly, the Government have let this opportunity slide.

“We urge the Government to reconsider and act to finally end this horrific practice which has caused so much suffering over the years.”

~ends~

For more information or to arrange interview please email media.team@ciwf.org or call 01483 521 615.