Green Party Euro MP Keith Taylor writes to government over live animal exports at Ramsgate port
GREEN party Euro MP Keith Taylor has written to the animal welfare minister calling for an urgent meeting after another shipment of live animals was exported from Ramsgate port last week.
Mr Taylor, who represents the south east, is urging the government to ensure the welfare of animals is properly protected during live transport and for action to address alleged breaches of animal welfare legislation.
He joins a growing political movement calling for action to end live animal exports on the ship Joline which was forced to return to Ramsgate port in high winds after reaching mid-Channel last Wednesday.
Mr Taylor,a member of the European Parliament's Intergroup for Animal Welfare, said: "In October 45 sheep sadly had to be destroyed at the port after being injured. Now we hear that just this week an ex-river boat carrying two lorries of animals has chosen to set sail across the English Channel in gale force 8 winds. Last year I received written confirmation from Defra that the Joline is unsuitable to travel in winds stronger than gale force 6. Yet, one year later this is being ignored. The time for more reassuring noises from DEFRA has passed. Now we need to see some effective action, which is why I have requested an urgent meeting with the minister
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"EU legislation is in place to ensure animals do not have to experience these awful conditions and it is unacceptable that we are frequently witnessing the law being violated by both the live exports industry and the government. These poor animals are needlessly continuing to suffer."
Comments
by grannyonline1
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 11:10AM
“Surely loading animals onto a ship and sailing in a gale across the English Channel, is against animal welfare laws? If not it should be.A cruel disgusting trade thats shames the whole of the EU for allowing it to continue in the 21st century. ON THE HOOK, NOT ON THE HOOF!!
http://tinyurl.com/ctj6x9z”
by mernimbler22
Monday, November 26 2012, 6:26PM
“Live animal exports happen every week from Ramsgate, usually it happens twice a week.
This may be deemed a lawful trade but it is not being carried out in a legal manner, it is obvious to see at EVERY sailing that animal welfare regulations are being breeched.
Defra/'Animal Health' do NOT check every animal, their priority is to get the animals off of British shores asap, the RSPCA Inspectors are now only allowed to take photos & make notes, they are no longer allowed to physically inspect the conditions inside the transporters or the condition of the animals.
There is no place for this barbaric trade in the 21st Century - On The Hook Not On The Hoof.
Please sign the e-petition on H M Government website 'Live Transport of Farmed Animals' http://tinyurl.com/blwa9qg”