View source for Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill

The '''Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill''' is a proposed legislation in the UK that aims to end the live exports of animals from Great Britain for slaughter or fattening. The bill was proposed on November 7, 2023.

No animals have been exported for slaughter from Great Britain since it was announced the Government's intention to bring forward a ban in 2021.<ref name=":0">[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/654a21952f045e001214dcd7/The_King_s_Speech_background_briefing_notes.pdf The King's Speech 2023] Prime Minister's Office</ref> If passed this bill will make the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening permanent.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/export-joanna-lumley-government-london-uk-government-b2443063.html Export of livestock for slaughter or fattening to be banned under new law] The Independent </ref> 

The bill will still allow live animal exports for other circumstances, such as breeding and competitions, provided they meet legal requirements aimed at protecting animal welfare.<ref name=":0" />

The bill comes after the UK Government’s 2020 consultation on ending live animal exports revealed that 87% of respondents agreed that livestock and horses should not be exported for slaughter and fattening.<ref name=":0" /> Long journey times pose welfare risks such as stress, exhaustion, and injury. For instance, journeys of unweaned calves from the UK for fattening in Spain were found to last on average 60 hours and often even longer.<ref name=":0" /> [[The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] supports the idea that animals should be slaughtered as close to the place where they are reared as possible, advocating for a carcass-only export trade.<ref name=":0" />

The UK Government’s previous attempt to impose an export ban as part of the [[Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill]] was scrapped earlier in 2023.

The bill was introduced into Parliament on December 4, 2023.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-legislation-set-to-ban-live-animal-exports New legislation set to ban live animal exports] gov.uk</ref>