I am absolutely delighted that the Live Exports Bill has completed all of its Parliamentary stages and will now go on to receive Royal Assent and become law.
This follows the Bill passing its Report Stage on 8th May in the House of Lords and Committee Stage on 14th March, having already passed all of its stages in the House of Commons.
I spoke in the Commons during the Second Reading of the bill, and stated that "the export of live animals has been a stain on our society for far too long. I am glad that it is being stopped, but I am even more glad that, if we pass this Bill tonight, it will never come back again”.
It was good that throughout its passage in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Bill attracted cross-party support. During the Third Reading in the House of Commons, Minister Mark Spencer said that ending live exports for fattening and slaughter “is close to the hearts of many in this House”.
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will ban the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury caused by exporting live animals.
The commitment to end live exports for fattening and slaughter honours a popular Conservative Party Manifesto commitment and delivers an important component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
As you know, since my election I have been a strong advocate in Parliament for ending live exports for fattening and slaughter.
Historically Great Britain has exported large numbers of sheep and calves abroad to France and as far afield as Spain. Overcrowding means that some cannot lie down at all, while those who do may be injured or trampled to death. They can be in transit for days, suffering extremes of temperature and often without sufficient food, water or rest.
Animals may end up in countries with far poorer welfare standards than our own, enduring practices which are illegal in the UK such as veal crates. Calves placed into the Dutch white veal pen systems, where they are unable to perform natural behaviour, are barely able to turn around.
This is a long overdue bill and a point of principle, underpinning our commitment in this country to high animal welfare standards.
My amazing predecessor, Sir David, campaigned tirelessly on animal welfare during his 38 years in Parliament and I am delighted to have played my part in the passage of this bill and build on his immense legacy on animal welfare.
