Welcome end to live export subsidies.

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 6th Jan 2006

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has welcomed the EU's decision to put an end to subsidies for the exports of live cattle for slaughter.

By removing the financial incentive, this move is likely to end the controversial trade in favour of export of meat instead. Thus the suffering caused to animals by long periods of transit and export to countries where they may be treated with cruelty will cease. Sarah Ludford said:

"Live exports are extremely cruel and can expose animals to very long and stressful journeys. Of the 250,000 cattle exported from the EU every year, the vast majority are taken to the Middle East, on journeys up to 10 days, and may face slaughter methods illegal under EU law."

Last year Sarah Ludford signed a Written Declaration in the European Parliament, which gained enough signatures to be adopted in July 2005, calling for an end to export subsidies. She added:

"The EU has once again demonstrated its firm commitment to improving animal welfare, and I hope it will continue to do so throughout 2006 and beyond."

Notes

In an earlier animal welfare move, the EU in 2003 passed a law banning cosmetics testing on animals. After a 6 year "phasing-out" period for manufacturers to find alternatives, a full ban will come into force in 2009.