Live transport and export of farmed animals banned in UK

In 2024, after years of campaigning, the Government banned the live export of animals in the UK for fattening and slaughtering, instead prioritising animal transport welfare.

Published:

29/10/25
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Live exports banned

We’ve been campaigning for more than 100 years, with many others, to improve the conditions in which farmed animals are transported across the UK.

Figures from Defra show that, since the 1960s, up to 40 million farmed animals, including sheep, calves and pigs, have been exported from Britain. Finally, this is now over. 

From 20 May 2024, the UK Government banned the live export of animals from the UK for fattening and slaughter. This monumental decision means that British farmed animals will no longer face horrendous journeys abroad, some lasting over 100 hours, which caused severe physical and mental suffering. 

This moment is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we campaign together for animal welfare.

This is a historic day in the RSPCA’s 200-year history to see something we have campaigned on for so long finally outlawed. It is a huge step forward for animal welfare and will now prevent animals suffering unnecessarily. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has campaigned, and the UK Government for acting to bring in the ban – we have all made this happen together!

David Bowles, Head Of Campaigns And Public Affairs

Farmed animals deserve better conditions

The live export ban is a major achievement – we’re one huge step closer to improving the transportation of animals. But we’re not there yet.

Farmed animals are still transported within the UK, and not always in the best conditions. Many endure long journeys without food or water, in unfamiliar environments with no ventilation. We need you to help us change that. Let’s make animal transport welfare a priority, not a probably, maybe, we’ll see. 

We regularly submit expert recommendations to UK and international authorities to influence stronger animal welfare laws.

David Bowles, Head of Campaigns & Public Affairs

Transport requirements include training, ventilation and humane handling.

Help us keep the momentum going for farmed animals

We wouldn’t have reached this milestone without your continuous support – change happens because of people like you. 

The live animal export ban is a momentous step forward, but there’s still more to be done. You can help us keep the momentum going, by doing what you do best. Speaking up on their behalf, and campaigning for improvements to how farmed animals are transported and treated across the UK.

Sign up to our campaigns newsletter, and be a part of the movement that betters the movement of farmed animals in the UK.

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