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UK Set To Ban Exporting Live Animals For Slaughter

April 10, 2018

The United Kingdom is moving towards a ban on exporting live animals for slaughter after announcing a major review of laws regulating their transport.

Sheep make up the majority of live animal exports from the UK

The policy comes amid rising anger over animals suffering health problems and death as they are taken in trucks across the continent.

"All animals deserve to get the respect and care they deserve at every stage of their lives," environment secretary Michael Gove said.

"It's unacceptable and completely unnecessary that live animal are exported and transported over long distances for slaughter or further fattening,” said Dr. Marc Cooper, head of the RSPCA's farm animals department.

"We would like to see live exports from the UK banned and a maximum journey time of eight hours introduced."

Last year the British government enforced mandatory CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses and increased the maximum prison sentence for animal abuse from six months to five years.

Gove said all options for future improvements of animal welfare are being considered, including the ban on live export for slaughter.