The Government’s Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Service
(AHVLA) today released a report into an
incident at Ramsgate Port, on 12 September 2012 in which more than 40 sheep,
destined for live export to Europe, were killed. The report recommends a number
of major improvements to the checking and inspection process used to police the
live export trade.
One the same day Kent County
Council Trading Standards announced that it would be prosecuting some of the
exporters allegedly involved in the events at Ramsgate for possible breaches of
the Welfare of Animals in Transport
Order 2006. The hearing will take place at Canterbury Magistrates Court on 4
April 2013. Conviction could lead to 6 months in prison and/ or a £5000 fine.
Independent
Thanet District Councillor, Ian Driver, and one of the anti-live animal export campaigners
said “today is a good day for animal welfare. At long last the Government and
Kent Trading Standards are beginning to flex their muscles and demonstrate to
animal abusers that there is no place for them in the food trade or anywhere else.”
He added “I am delighted that Kent County Council will be prosecuting some of the live animal exporters for their alleged involvement in events which led to the death of more of more 40 sheep at Ramsgate Port on 12 September. I hope, that if found guilty, these people which be punished to the full extent of the law”.
“I am also
very pleased by the Government’s decision to significantly tighten up the
checking and inspection processes at Ramsgate Port and elsewhere. This is a big
step forward”.
“However, I
have seen the Government report and, reading between the lines, it’s clear to
me that these changes, especially in relation to the number of vehicles checked
and changes to paperwork, were all forced on the Government because the system in
place pre-September 2012 was flawed, open to cheating and deception. But worst
of all the report appears to suggest that the professionals tasked with
carrying out the checks (AHVLA staff and Veterinary Surgeons) were simply not
doing their jobs properly”.
“None of this
awful brutality and suffering documented in the Government report would have
come to light, and none of these bleated but welcome changes would have been
made had it not been for 100s of Thanet people campaigning tirelessly and
demonstrating in all weathers. This is a brilliant example of people power but
we won’t be relaxing until this medieval trade is banned altogether”.
The
Government report is here
This foul practice need to stop. Enforcement will not be sustained, bad practices will return. It puzzles me that this is going on under the noses of a so called `animal loving` and `caring` society
ReplyDeleteSO KCC and TDC could have done somehting all along especially as it is a council owned port?
ReplyDelete