Having been engaged in animal welfare investigations at Ramsgate Port, where the controversial export of live animals is ongoing, the RSPCA last week revealed it has issued warning notices to a haulier following a breach of welfare legislation.

RSPCA inspectors, along with officials from the AHVLA, attending the port on Wednesday issued a warning notice after hundreds of sheep being transported from Kent to Holland via Calais were found to have no access to drinking water due to a faulty pump on a truck. The faulty pump was repaired at Ramsgate.

Campaigners including local Labour councillors recently held a demonstration at the port to mark one year of protest since the live export trade switched to Ramsgate following damage to a loading ramp at Dover. Animal welfare campaigners have said the conditions in which animals are transported to mainland Europe are not suitable.

Commenting on Wednesday’s visit to Ramsgate, Dr Julia Wrathall, head of the RSPCA's farm animals science team, said, "Drinking water is one of the essential basics that sheep, or any animals, need during a journey which potentially can be long and hot. It's very concerning that a lorry transporting live animals abroad had a faulty water pump but it's a relief that this was rectified so quickly.

"This breach of welfare rules highlights the need for better enforcement across Europe and a maximum eight hour journey time to help reduce the risk of animals suffering unnecessarily during transportation."

The NFU has refused to condemn live exports from the port. Frank Langrish, who spoke at a rally organised by animal welfare campaigners in May said, “I agree with the RSPCA that animals should be slaughtered where possible at the nearest abattoir, but from Ramsgate that abattoir for sheep is due East on the Dutch/Belgian border. To the West the nearest are Yetminster in Dorset or on the outskirts of Birmingham, over 200 miles away or up to 6 hours travelling time.”

Mr Langrish continued, “The numbers of hours animals are allowed to travel for is laid down in regulations and was not a number plucked out of the air; it was based on Scientific research by Universities throughout Europe. Practical work was carried out on the stress of transport, the densities that animals should travel at, feeding and watering intervals and many other factors to ensure the highest welfare of the animals.”

Commission rejects calls for stricter legislation

The European Commission recently rejected moves made by MEPs to reduce journey times for live animals. A petition signed by over a million campaigners and nearly 400 MEPs had been put before the Commission and Council, calling for a reduction in the maximum transport time to eight hours.

Speaking about the calls made by the European Parliament Agriculture Committee, Scottish MEP Alyn Smith said at the beginning of the month that he supported the committee’s demands for travelling time reductions made on a species by species basis, with derogations for remote regions. However, Smith said that before new legislation is brought in on animal welfare, he believes the EU should focus on achieving compliance with current rules.

He stated that the EU should ensure compliance throughout the bloc and support local slaughterhouses, which he claimed would reduce the need for long journey times and ensure a more sustainable, resilient food supply network. 

Nevertheless, welfare organisations continue to object to the exports. Gavin Grant, the RSPCA’s chief executive said ahead of recent protests in Ramsgate, “There is no good reason why hundreds of sheep and calves should be shipped to face gruelling journeys across Europe just to be slaughtered or kept in conditions which could be illegal here. The RSPCA has fought against this trade for years and we will keep campaigning to end it for as long as it takes. If meat needs to be go to the Continent then it should be on the hook not on the hoof. Meanwhile our inspectors will be here to make sure the law to protect animals is enforced and that those abusing animals are brought to justice.”

Dil Peeling, Director of Public Affairs at farm animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming added, “It’s clear to us that there is overwhelming local opposition to this cruel trade. In a recent investigation into the route through Ramsgate, we trailed a consignment of calves that was taken from Devon to Spain – a total journey time of 59 hours. This is far too long for such young animals whose immune systems are not fully developed – the trials of the journey can leave them open to disease. And that’s presuming everything runs smoothly.”

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