Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill debated in the Lords

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill seeks to end the export of certain animals for fattening and slaughter from and through England, Wales and Scotland.

Debate on the draft law 

During second reading, members discuss the main issues and topics in the bill and highlight concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) will be needed. 

Subjects under discussion included:

• financial support for farmers
• animal welfare
• distances travelled by animals for slaughter across the UK
• applying similar legislation to Northern Ireland.

Members speaking

Contributing members included: 

• Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville (Liberal Democrats), Liberal Democrat spokesperson for environment, food and rural affairs
• Baronesss Fookes (Conservative), president of the RSPCA Plymouth and District branch
• Lord Trees (Crossbench), former president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Baroness Young of Old Scone (Labour), chair of the Royal Veterinary College.

Baroness Young said:

'There is widespread support for this provision...Live exports see animals crowded into vehicles—often the first time they are away from their mothers—on long, stressful journeys, causing them to suffer from exhaustion, dehydration and even death.'

Lord Douglas-Miller (Conservative), Minister for Biosecurity, Animal Health and Welfare, responded on behalf of the government:

'The bill will ban the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping the unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury caused by this trade.'

Get involved  

Watch and read the debate

• Catch up on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information

• Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing. 

Next steps

Committee stage, a chance to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes, is scheduled to begin on Thursday 14 March.

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