The Government is proposing to ban the export of animals for slaughter and fattening abroad.

Many have long called for an end to this practice where livestock and even horses are subject to long journeys in cramped conditions just to be fattened up or killed overseas. These plans also intend to cut the amount of time which live animals can spend in trucks within the UK to further enhance our animal welfare standards. Previously our membership of the European Union meant that we didn’t have the power to stop this practice. A consultation is now being launched on the proposal and this new ban could be in force by the end of next year.

This highlights another benefit of leaving the EU. It allows us to have greater control on rules governing animal welfare in line with the Conservative manifesto pledge.