• Rebecca Harris MP has welcomed the Conservative Government’s ban on live animal exports announced at the King’s Speech, delivering the long-term decisions needed for a brighter future.
• The Conservative Government’s decision to bring forward the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill delivers on a manifesto commitment to use the UK’s new Brexit freedoms to end live exports of animals for slaughter and fattening, boosting animal welfare standards.
• We are a nation of animal lovers and the Conservative Government is taking the long-term decisions needed to improve animal welfare standards and back British farmers

Rebecca is incredibly supportive of the Conservative Government’s decision in the King’s Speech 2023 to ban live animal exports, building further on the UK’s world-leading animal welfare standards.

For too long governments of all colours have taken short-term decisions, instead of focusing on the right long-term decisions that will safeguard the future prosperity of our country. That’s why the Conservative Government has announced plans to deliver a brighter future for our country in the King’s Speech – confirming a ban on the live export of animals for slaughter or fattening.

Since we left the European Union, there have been no live animal exports – but now this Bill will ensure that position becomes permanent, enshrining the ban in law and protecting livestock from excessively long journeys for slaughter and fattening.

The Conservative Government’s ban will also build on the UK’s reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards, securing the premium our meat exports carry internationally, backing British farmers and boosting exports as we grow the economy.

Delivering on a manifesto commitment, the ban builds on Conservative measures to boost animal welfare including tougher sentences for animal cruelty, legislation recognising animal sentience, delivering one of the toughest bans on ivory in the world and introducing mandatory cat microchipping. All these have been delivered under the Conservatives since 2019.

Commenting, Rebecca Harris MP said:

“As a nation of animal lovers, I know the British people and Castle Point overwhelmingly support decisions to improve animal welfare standards. That is why I welcome the Conservative Government’s decision to permanently ban the live export of animals for slaughter or fattening, set out at the King’s Speech today – using our Brexit freedoms to enshrine the ban in law. No live animal exports have taken place since we left the European Union and this Bill will make that position permanent. This King’s Speech proves the Prime Minister is delivering the long-term decisions needed for a brighter future.”

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

“I am very pleased that we are delivering our manifesto commitment by bringing in this law. The EU’s laws prevented us from taking this step in the past, but now we’re reaping a benefit of Brexit. This step will be a further boost for our already world-leading animal welfare standards.”