Law changes on live transport to slaughter make progress

The UK and European Union governments have both announced legislative changes that affect equine transport

-  ELEANOR JONES

LAW changes on live transport of horses for slaughter have made progress, to welfare charities' delight.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill, which would ban live exports for slaughter from the UK, was introduced to parliament on 4 December. Three days later, the European Commission (EC) announced proposals to limit the maximum total journey time of animals to nine hours.

The proposal allows for exemptions if, within the EU, "no slaughterhouses adapted for the species can be reached within a short journey".

H&H asked if this would allow journeys such as from Poland to the slaughterhouses of southern Italy.