Prominent animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming, have opposed the export of live animals using a Latvian registered ship they say is unfit for purpose from Ramsgate. The RSPCA has demanded action from the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), which it says should make moves to revoke the ferry’s license, as the transport of live animals from Ramsgate to Calais is causing unnecessary suffering. image expired

The ship, Joline, has been operating out of Ramsgate since May, transporting calves and sheep to Calais following damage to a livestock ramp at Dover port, which rendered it inoperable. However, the RSPCA has expressed “serious concern” at the new arrangement, as it claims the boat’s slower speed and shallow hull make for an uncomfortable journey for animals, particularly with the onset of winter and the rougher seas it brings.

The RSPCA is lobbying for an eight-hour journey time limit under reforms to EU live transport rules, which will be debated by the EU later in the year; Defra has also pledged its commitment to “improve welfare standards in transit.”

In spite of the more muted protests of Thanet district council, Ian Driver, one councillor has organised a petition he hopes will put a stop to the transport. The petition has already received official backing from the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming and has gained the support of local MPs

Protests have been planned to boost the petition’s profile, in the hope that it will eventually reach 100,000 signatories and trigger a debate in the House of Commons; around 2,000 signatures have already been collected since the petition was set up, two weeks ago.

Mr Driver said, “Thanet council has already declared its public opposition to this cruel trade, so it makes sense that it should also support our e-petition against the export of live farm animals from Ramsgate. We need to get 100,000 signatures in the next 11 months to have a Parliamentary debate on this issue and hopefully change the laws which allow this barbaric practice to continue. If the people of Thanet back the petition we will have a great chance of success”.

On Tuesday, protestors disrupted the unveiling of Rodin’s ‘The Kiss’ at the Turner Gallery in Margate to raise awareness of the live exports. The council were reportedly “infuriated” by protesters, who staged a demonstration outside the gallery.