Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner’s office share this latest. Ed
The export of live farm animals for slaughter is causing even keen pro-EU campaigners, such as Stanley Johnson, father of Eurosceptic Boris Johnson MP, former Mayor of London, to criticise the powers that lie in Brussels.
At the moment, EU-law prevents Britain from banning the export of live animals for slaughter as it breaks rules on the free movement of goods. Recently the Times newspaper reported that 50,000 live lambs and sheep are being exported from the UK each year.
According to animal welfare groups, the conditions the animals are transported in are appalling; they are often overcrowded, without adequate ventilation and denied food and even water for many hours. Many then go on to be slaughtered in ways that would not be allowed in Britain.
TTIP implications
A vote to remain in the EU may make the situation even worse, as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is currently being negotiated between the EU and the US. The US has very few federal animal welfare protections and it is unclear whether the EU will agree to comply with even lower US standards, which would then apply to the UK.
The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, said:
“I believe that animals should be slaughtered close to where they are reared. Farm animals are living, sentient beings, not mere commodities. Even where animals are reared for food they should be treated humanely and should certainly be exempt from rules on the free movement of goods.
“The fact that we can’t restrict these exports because of EU laws is further proof that we need to take back control of our own country. Not only do animals endure inhumane and unnecessary suffering, but the meat comes back to British stores without proper labelling, leaving the consumer unable to make an informed choice on what they buy.
“George Eustice MP, the Minister for Animal Welfare has acknowledged public concerns about the continued export of live animals for slaughter, but says the EU has made clear that banning it would be against EU law.
“The only way a British Government could introduce a ban and be certain that high animal welfare standards are adhered to, is if we vote to leave the EU on 23rd June.”
Image: rotarazona under CC BY 2.0
