THE FIGHT against Ramsgate's animals exports was taken to Parliament this week by South Thanet MP Laura Sandys who labelled the practice as "inhumane" and the operators as "cavalier".

Her comments came just a week after animal welfare campaigners submitted evidence to the Department of Agriculture, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) over the alleged misconduct of the operators of Lithuanian ship Joline, which has been carrying out the exports.

During an adjournment debate on Monday Mrs Sandys said: "Tens of thousands of animals have arrived at Ramsgate this year to be put on a Soviet ship – a roll-on/roll-off ferry that was designed for river and inland water transport. On to the boat they go in their trucks with water spraying and in gales of up to force six. The longest estimated Channel crossing is five hours due to very adverse weather conditions. Those journeys are inhumane."

Mrs Sandys also urged Defra to investigate claims Joline's operators had contravened EU regulations and revoke licences while further evidence is gathered.

She spoke of her "horror" when she learnt that only last Friday lorry drivers had left their cargo on the overloaded Joline to drive to Dover and get a separate ferry.

She said: "We believe that these operators are, at best, cavalier with the regulations and, at worst, have little interest in animal welfare."

She added: "Defra must do more investigations as soon as possible into whether the wholesaler or the owner of the Ramsgate ship, Joline, have any connections with business men who have already been convicted of animal cruelty? Has the Department made the necessary inquiries to find out whether someone who was prosecuted in Folkestone for six offences against animal welfare has any connection with the current trade out of Ramsgate?"

Mrs Sandys praised the Government for pressing for a revision of the labelling of meat products which currently allows for British beef to be designated as French, Spanish or Greek if it is slaughtered abroad.

Labour Ramsgate councillor Ian Driver, who has been championing the issue with Thanet Against Live Exports (TALE), said: "I think it is brilliant that Laura is raising some very, very important issues in Parliament. I think it is great our local MP is becoming involved and trying to stop an outrageous trade.

"It is fantastic. The other important thing is that this shows this is not a party political issue and we are getting people of all political persuasions supporting what we are doing and that is brilliant."

An e-petition started last month calls on the Government to review the 1847 Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act and give port owners the right to refuse the shipment of live animals overseas.

The petition has now attracted nearly 5,000 signatures. It needs 100,000 to be debated in Parliament.

On November 2 Green Party MEP for the South East Keith Taylor will meet with anti-live exports campaigners at 2.30pm at Ramsgate's Government Acre to show his support.