Ban Live Exports action closed

Thank you for your interest in taking action for farm animals. Your compassion means so much to farm animals. Whilst the action you were looking for has now closed there is plenty more you can still do.

Read on to see the impact that caring people like you have made for animals and other actions you can take.

The journey so far

2017

In 2017, approximately 5,500 Scottish calves endured long, harrowing journeys by road and sea to Ireland, with many travelling onwards to Spain and Italy.

Thousands of compassionate people like you contacted their MSP to urge them to back a motion launched in Holyrood for debate, calling on the Government to back a ban on live exports. The motion was debated in Scottish Parliament. Read the transcript.

2018

In September 2018, we welcomed news that P&O Ferries would no longer ship young Scottish calves, destined for continental Europe, across the Irish Sea.

However, on 16th October 2018, it became clear that this cruel trade in un-weaned calves had found another route through Ramsgate, Kent on the private transport boat, Joline.

We asked supporters like you to contact Michael Gove, Defra’s then Secretary of State, to ban live exports from the UK once and for all. The response from our supporters was phenomenal – over 27,000 compassionate people called on Defra to set a ban against live exports.

2019

26,525 supporters called on Theresa Villiers Defra’s then Secretary of State, to ensure the Queen’s Speech would mention a ban on live exports for fattening slaughter.

We were disappointed that the Queen’s Speech in October 2019 failed to mention live exports – particularly given that the Government had stated earlier that month that it would bring forward proposals to end live exports for slaughter.

You can read our full response to the Queen’s Speech.

Around 2,000 people then joined us in tweeting Boris Johnson directly on the issue of live exports.

57,543 dedicated supporters also emailed UK Prime Minister, urging him to turn his words into actions and deliver a ban on UK live exports for fattening and slaughter.

2020

In October 2020, the Scottish Government decided to halt live calf exports. This was a huge victory for calves - all thanks to the dedicated support of people like you.

We'd like to say a huge thanks to the 37,629 supporters who emailed George Eustice, Defra Secretary of State, urging him to end his department's defence of live exports.

Passionate voices like yours helped secure major steps forward in our fight. On 3rd December 2020, the UK Government launched a consultation on plans to “ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening” from, or through, England and Wales.

2021

28,877 compassionate people emailed Fergus Ewing, Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, urging him to ban all live exports from Scotland for slaughter and fattening.

The Scottish Government's consultation on live exports, which shockingly failed to include proposals for banning the trade - closed on 26th February 2021.

On the 25th of February the UK Government closed it's consultation on the live exports of livestock (excluding poultry) through England and Wales. We await a response.

In May the Scottish Government committed to a ban on live exports for slaughter and fattening in their 2021 election manifesto.

With your support, we will:

• Keep up the pressure on the Scottish and UK Governments to deliver on their commitments to end live exports 
• Fight to end live exports throughout all of Great Britain.

Other actions you can take

• Take part in our annual day of action to Ban Live Exports
• Sign up to our newsletter to hear about new actions you can take on campaigns like this
• Learn about other campaigns to help farm animals