Latest News

News: RSPCA bid to take on legal fight for live export animals

  • We’ve lodged a claim in the High Court to seek judicial review of the arrangements operated by Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AVHLA) for the approval and supervision of live animal exports through the port of Ramsgate. Read the full story here.

Take action: RSPCA team up with CIWF to end live transport

  • We've teamed up with Compassion in World Farming to create a Number 10 petition. If we reach 100,000 signatures this issue will be eligiable for debate in Parliament. The animals need your support more than ever. Please sign the petition now!

 

The Campaign 
  

Every year millions of animals including calves, sheep, dogs and horses are transported all over the EU.

 

Sheep with horns at Ramsgate port © RSPCA

Since the live export trade from Ramsgate re-opened in 2011 many thousands of animals including calves, sheep and horses have suffered being shipped overseas through its port. We're monitoring the trade from Ramsgate and have concerns on the boat being used. We're urging the government not to issue licenses if there are concerns that transport times laid down in law will be broken.

 

We want to see:

  • An end to long-distance transport of live animals in favour of a ‘carcass-only’ trade
  • A maximum eight-hour journey time for all animals travelling for slaughter or 'further fattening' across the EU
  • Amendments to existing legislation that allow ports to refuse the cruel trade in live animals 
  • While the trade continues, for the full costs of veterinary and Animal Health regulatory inspections as well as lairage and emergency facilities to be borne by the hauliers, rather than by the taxpayer.

What we're doing

 

Inspectors checking calves at Ramsgate port © RSPCA 

Since the beginning of 2012, RSPCA inspectors have been monitoring the port of Ramsgate for breaches in animal welfare. While we do not support the trade in live animald from Ramsgate, while it does go on, the RSPCA will be there to ensure that current laws are upheld and enforcement agencies carry out their jobs properly minimising the suffering of those animals unfortunate enough to have found themselves in that position.Since February, the RSPCA have issued formal animal welfare warning notices for breaches in welfare by hauliers.

 

Animals suffer during long distance live transport. These calves and sheep have often been crammed into trucks on UK roads for hours before facing a grueling channel crossing of up to another 6 hours before heading for conditions illegal in this country.

 

What can I do?

Join us in our fight to end this wretched trade, we can not allow any more animals to suffer and die this way. Take action for animals now using the button below!

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