Speaking at a Conservative party conference, Environment Secretary Michael Gove recently claimed that leaving the European Union’s single market could mean “restricting the live export of animals”.
Reiterating his position for the UK to deliver a ‘Green Brexit’, Gove highlighted that “outside the European Union’s single market, we can improve animal welfare, supporting more humane methods of farming and restricting the live export of animals”.
The announcement was also made on Defra’s official website, stating that following plans to make CCTV mandatory in all slaughterhouses, “we have committed to taking steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter as we leave the EU”.
The section forms part of Defra’s announcement regarding plans to bring forward new legislation that will increase sentences handed out to those found guilty of animal abuse to up to five years.
“These plans are part of an ambitious programme of reform that will cement the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare as we leave the EU,” the statement reads.
RSPCA welcomed Gove’s intention to restrict live exports, with head of public affairs, David Bowles stating: “The campaign to end the live export of animals for slaughter or further fattening purposes is one of the RSPCA’s longest running campaigns, and should be consigned to the past.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
