Farming Minister David Heath has launched an inquest into events which took place at Ramsgate Port on 12th September, leading to the death of 46 sheep and the suspension of live animal exports from the port.

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Mr Heath demanded an inquiry into the “unacceptable” case, following a meeting with local MP Laura Sandys and senior RSPCA officers.

On Wednesday 12th September, a number of injured sheep were shot on the advice of a vet and two French drivers were arrested after a lorry carrying 500 sheep was prevented from leaving the port due to infractions of animal welfare legislation. A number of sheep also fell into water when a temporary holding area collapsed; two drowned while others were rescued by RSPCA personnel. Welfare campaigners had long complained that Ramsgate is ill-equipped to deal with animals’ needs.  

The port had been the scene of protests by animal welfare and rights groups for over a year, since the live exports trade moved from Dover. Until its closure, Ramsgate was the only UK port serving the live animal export trade.

Heath, a Liberal Democrat who was appointed to Defra during last month’s parliamentary reshuffle, said, “I have ordered an immediate review into the unacceptable events at Ramsgate, and have instructed the AHVLA (Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency) to take a zero tolerance approach to enforcing and maintaining animal welfare.”

AHVLA officers, as well as RSPCA inspectors, are understood to have been present at Ramsgate during the events that ultimately led to the port’s closure.

The NFU has begun lobbying to reopen the port, but Thanet Council said live exports will not resume until the correct facilities have been built; the council added that this is not one of its major priorities. RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant responded to the NFU’s overtures, “I am aware the National Farmers Union is making efforts to re-open Ramsgate. I say to them that they should respect the views of the people of Ramsgate, Ipswich, and this country in that there is no place in a civilised and compassionate society for this vile trade that causes so much suffering to animals.”

Nevertheless, NFU chief livestock adviser Peter Garbutt called for a “full and frank” investigation into the incident after an unsuccessful attempt to move the live export trade to Ipswich; he attempted to shift the focus of the attention onto the RSPCA’s handling of events on 12th September. Garbutt said, "Concerns have been raised with us as to why contingency plans to deal with such events do not appear to have been followed by the bodies overseeing the trade and with the pressure that was placed on government officials to sanction the slaughter of these animals at the port by the RSPCA when more humane alternatives may have been available.”

The RSPCA denied it put pressure on veterinary personnel at the port to euthanize the injured animals. The welfare charity has submitted a report to Thanet District Council in which it states that Ramsgate did not have “the necessary facilities to satisfy the welfare needs of the animals.”

This week, live exporters began legal action against Thanet District Council in an attempt to reinstate the trade from Ramsgate. In response the Council appealed to Defra for support.

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