Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

SAV Comment – As we said a long time ago; if the EU is not going to do anything positive about the long distance transport of animals despite all the evidence presented to them, then the UK leaves the EU and acts independently for a ban.  Here is the current response from the UK government – and although nothing can be done until we officially leave the EU, be assured that UK groups will fight tooth and nail to have a live transport ban in place on the day the UK formally leaves the EU.  The EU may continue as ‘heads in the sand’, complete with their weasel words about better enforcement etc, but the UK will take positive, direct action for better animal welfare and go for the ban.  UK welfare groups will ensure this will be the final outcome.

Dear Mark Johnson,

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “As soon as the UK exits the EU legislate to end the export of live farm animals.”.

Government responded:

The Government would prefer animals to be slaughtered close to the point of production. Once the UK has left the EU, there will be the possibility to consider further measures in this area.

The Government is committed to improving the welfare of animals. The Government share British farmers and the public’s high regard for animal welfare. We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

The Government’s position is that we would prefer animals to be slaughtered as close as practicable to their point of production. A trade in meat and meat products is preferable to the long distance transport of animals to slaughter.

Once the UK has left the European Union (EU), there will be the possibility to consider further measures in this area.

Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the EU and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.

We have made clear in Brussels that we support improvements being made to enforcement across the EU of existing rules on the long distance transport of livestock.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Click this link to view the response online:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/170885?reveal_response=yes

The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate.

The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: https://petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE |