We began Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day in 2016. Held on 14th June every year it brings thousands of people together around the world to protest against the unnecessary trade in live animal exports.

A betrayal of trust

Last month, the UK Government abandoned legislation that would have banned live exports for slaughter or fattening from or through Great Britain. Ending this cruel trade was a Conservative Party manifesto commitment in 2019. And, in May 2021, Ministers introduced the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to Parliament which, amongst other protections for animals, included a live export ban.

The Bill had broad, cross-party support, and initially made good progress. But 18 months of dither and delay followed, and the Government then withdrew the legislation last month.

Actress, Evanna Lynch, said: “We must end this horrific trade once and for all. Full stop. The UK Government has promised to ban live exports, but in a betrayal of trust, they’ve dropped their own Bill that was set to do just that. It’s been a long fight, but we can’t give up now. Together, we can Ban Live Exports.”

Why are we still waiting?

To mark the Day we have launched a new petition to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, calling on him to show true leadership for animals.

James West, our Senior Policy Manager, added: “It’s appalling that after decades of campaigning on this issue, and despite Government commitments, we are still trying to get legislation to ban live exports over the line. This archaic trade is cruel, it’s unpopular with the public, and a ban has cross-party support in Parliament. Meanwhile we watch both Brazil and New Zealand leading the way with the steps they have taken, whilst in Britain, a country of animal lovers, we still waiting.

“Dropping this Bill is a huge betrayal of farm animals and of everyone who’s fought so hard to end this horrific trade. We urge the Government to finally and quickly pass legislation that consigns the terrible practice in exporting live animals for slaughter or fattening to the history books.”

Get involved

Sign our petition to the UK Prime Minister, calling for the promised British live exports ban to be delivered.
See otherwise you can get involved and support Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day.

Ban Live Exports: The fight continues