RSPCA Accused Of A Cynical Attack On UK Farming
UK - Animal welfare groups calling for action to limit the transport of live animals to Europe have been accused of a cynical and badly timed attack on livestock farmers.
25 October 2007
1 minute read
“Export conditions are a thousand times better than they were ten years ago. We have had the RSPCA travelling on our lorries and there are cameras on many lorries to check on conditions."
NFU regional chairman Richard Haddock
The RSPCA have published a report showing a dramatic increase in live exports after the resumption of a trade which has been limited since 1996 with BSE and foot-and-mouth restrictions.
According to the report 538,588 live animals were transported last year compared to 37,000 in 2005.
The RSPCA say this is avoidable. “The transport of live farm animals from the UK to other countries for slaughter or further fattening is both unnecessary and fraught with risk to animal health and welfare,” states the report.
But NFU regional chairman Richard Haddock says that the figures are irrelevant after a dramatic improvement in the welfare of animals during transport over the last few years.
“Export conditions are a thousand times better than they were ten years ago. We have had the RSPCA travelling on our lorries and there are cameras on many lorries to check on conditions."
