That this House notes with dismay that the number of lambs and sheep exported for slaughter abroad has increased significantly; is concerned that many of these animals are sent on appallingly long journeys to Italy, Greece and Spain, where often they are killed in abattoirs using cruel and illegal slaughter methods; notes that by the time the animals reach southern Europe many are suffering greatly due to overcrowding, the lack of water and proper ventilation on many vehicles, the extreme heat in summer and the sheer length of the journey; notes that the great majority of sheep exports from the UK are in meat form and believes that, with vigorous marketing on the continent, the whole of UK exports could be converted into a meat trade; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to do all it can to help bring the cruel live animal export trade to an end, and to take the lead in persuading European Union partners to adopt a major change of policy whereby, throughout the EU, the long distance transport of live farm animals is replaced by a trade in meat and carcases.

That this House notes with dismay that the number of lambs and sheep exported for slaughter abroad has increased significantly; is concerned that many of these animals are sent on appallingly long journeys to Italy, Greece and Spain, where often they are killed in abattoirs using cruel and illegal slaughter...

That this House notes that in a new national opinion poll commissioned by Compassion in World Farming 88 per cent of those questioned said they believe the export of live animals for slaughter abroad should be brought to an end; notes with concern that nearly 500,000 animals, mainly lambs and sheep, but also pigs, were exported from the United Kingdom in 1997; believes that the live export trade imposes great suffering on these animals, many of which are sent on extremely long journeys to Italy, Greece and Spain, where all too often they are killed in abattoirs using cruel and illegal slaughter methods; believes that this trade is not only bad for animal welfare but also for the rural economy, as it deprives United Kingdom abattoirs of jobs and profits; believes accordingly that the export of live animals for slaughter abroad should be brought to an end and replaced by meat exports; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to do all it can to bring the cruel live export trade to an end as a matter of urgency and to persuade the United Kingdom's EU partners to replace long-distance live transport throughout the EU with a trade in meat.

That this House notes that in a new national opinion poll commissioned by Compassion in World Farming 88 per cent of those questioned said they believe the export of live animals for slaughter abroad should be brought to an end; notes with concern that nearly 500,000 animals, mainly lambs and...

That this House notes with concern the trade in exporting New Forest ponies to France for meat, and that many dealers take these ponies on 1,000 mile journeys around Britain to Stranraer to be shipped to Southern Ireland and then to France to avoid the requirement for export licences; congratulates the Daily Echo for exposing this trade; and calls on the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to act now to crack down on this trade.

That this House notes with concern the trade in exporting New Forest ponies to France for meat, and that many dealers take these ponies on 1,000 mile journeys around Britain to Stranraer to be shipped to Southern Ireland and then to France to avoid the requirement for export licences; congratulates...

That this House is shocked by the detailed report and graphic film evidence recently published by Animal Aid on the treatment of animals at livestock markets; deplores the fact that animals have been brought to market emaciated, diseased and lame, that the casual use of sticks, boots and electric goads persists and that animals have been denied water; notes that many United Kingdom markets are antiquated and dilapidated and so cause additional stress to animals auctioned through them; and urges the Government to establish a thorough, open investigation of all United Kingdom markets by an independent body, with those markets which are unable to meet a standard consistent with the current welfare requirements being required to upgrade or close, the said investigation also to explore how best to encourage other sales methods and how to introduce adequate training for all those handling animals at market.

That this House is shocked by the detailed report and graphic film evidence recently published by Animal Aid on the treatment of animals at livestock markets; deplores the fact that animals have been brought to market emaciated, diseased and lame, that the casual use of sticks, boots and electric goads...