Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it remains the Government's policy to prohibit the live export of animals for slaughter or fattening.

Yes. We are delivering on our Manifesto commitment through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, by banning exports of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and equines for slaughter and fattening on journeys that begin in or transit through Great Britain to a third country. This will be done as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Exports of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats by sea to mainland Europe have not been viable since 1st January 2021, due to the lack of Border Control Post facilities designated to accept this trade in receiving EU Member States. Exports of equines have continued for the purpose of leisure, competition or breeding as there are Border Control Posts that are designated for equines.