MEPs Back Animal Transport Ban

6.13.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Mar 2004

The European Parliament today backed tougher measures on animal welfare and protection that will allow Britain to keep the current ban on the export of horses for slaughter.

East Midlands MEP Bill Newton Dunn welcomed the result: "I am delighted that the ban will remain in place, though it is a shame that the parliament did not back the clear cut 8 hour limit on journey times advocated by the Liberal Democrats."

The Commission's proposal to ensure a minimum standard of animal welfare during transport was toughened up to set a 9 hour limit on almost all journeys for slaughter.

"There was an immense outcry from animal welfare groups and British MEPs alike when moves in Brussels to update the live animal transport directive put at risk an indirect ban on the export of horses that has been in place in the UK since 1937. I received many letters and emails from people in the East Midlands, voicing their concerns.

"British Liberal Democrats have worked hard alongside animal welfare groups such as Compassion in World Farming and the Eurogroup for Animal Welfare to monitor the situation and support amendments that would prevent horses, ponies and donkeys from heading to the Continent."

The Lib Dem Euro-MP drew attention to Commissioner David Byrne's comments during the debate that, "the adopted regulation stipulates that it will not obstruct stricter national measures including a total ban on the export of live equidae intended for production or slaughter".

Mr Newton Dunn continued, "The European Parliament has shown that it is serious about animal welfare. I hope the British Government will now show the same support in the Council of Ministers. The British public has shown what it wants and Brussels responded. Let's hope the UK government now does the same".

"The responsibility for enforcing the rules will, unfortunately, still rest with the national governments - some of whom are better at it than others," he added.