Concerning Live Export

Live export of animals is very concerning. By its nature, it is highly likely to give suffering to the animals. If, also, conditions are dire, procedure is poor, and there is bad treatment of the animals by humans, the circumstance is worse. Sheep are an animal group much exported live, and therefore they are much victim to the live export situation.

For concern, is that progress in the passage through the UK Parliament of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill seems to have stalled. The Bill proposes the banning of export from Britain of live animals for slaughter and fattening. Last week, the organisation Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) ‘took to the road’ in England with a Ban Live Exports Ad Van tour, going to the constituency offices of four Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Ministers and of the Prime Minister, to draw further attention to the need for ban on live exports and for expressing concern that the UK government appeared not to attach importance and priority to ending live export of animals.  

More encouraging is The Guardian 3rd March 2023 report (Calla Wahlquist and Australian Associated Press) that ‘The Australian government has begun the process of phasing out live sheep export’. But concerning is that ‘the National Farmers’ Federation is opposing ending live export and will not participate in consultation about the best way to phase out the trade.’ The RSPCA Australia chief executive has said that ‘the live sheep export trade had “deep, inherent and unfixable animal welfare issues” ’.  

CIWF gives this straightforward portrayal of live exports: ‘Live exports causes overcrowding, stress, exhaustion, dehydration, hunger and even death’.