Press release: Wednesday, 13 February 2013

The RSPCA is to seek an oral hearing in the High Court to determine whether the charity can take its live animal exports judicial review application to a full hearing. The RSPCA applied in December to seek a judicial review of the arrangements operated by Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (“AHVLA”) for the approval and supervision of live animal exports through the port of Ramsgate, but last week found out that permission to bring the judicial review had been refused by Mr Justice Males following a consideration of the court papers.

The RSPCA vowed to fight on for the animals after Thanet District Council lifted its temporary ban on live exports at Ramsgate in November, despite huge opposition from the public and animal welfare organisations alike. The animals are transported over to Calais on an open-decked, flat bottomed converted Russian tank transporter, the MV Joline.

The local authority had closed the port, which has no livestock handling facilities, to live exports in September following a horrific incident when over 40 sheep had to be destroyed. The port was then re-opened in October following legal action by Dutch exporters. The RSPCA believes AHVLA is acting unlawfully in failing to require the exporters to use ports with appropriate facilities and also in failing to impose sailing restrictions on the MV Joline to ensure that animals are not injured or caused undue harm whilst being transported by sea. The RSPCA also believes that changes to the inspection regime introduced by AHVLA following the September incident are also unlawful in failing to provide proper checks at the port to safeguard animal welfare.

RSPCA Chief Legal Officer Ray Goodfellow said: "We are taking this stand because we believe AHVLA’s approach is failing to safeguard animal welfare and is in breach of European laws designed to protect animals from injury or undue suffering during transport. We believe we have a strong case which deserves to be heard.”

"The issues remain the same - the lack of facilities at or near the port to deal with emergencies, the use of an old tank transporter to ship animals across the Channel in rough weather and the failure to thoroughly inspect animals at the port are all unacceptable. These issues have serious implications for animal welfare which is why the RSPCA is pressing its case further.”

The RSPCA has launched a 'Fighting Fund' to help pay for such legal cases to fight for animals in court.

To donate to the RSPCA’s Fighting Fund please do so by:

Giving £3 now: text HELP to 78866 (Texts cost £3 + 1 standard network rate message)

Donating via phone: call 0300 123 8181 now (24 hours a day)

Donating online: visit www.rspca.org.uk/urgent