Dear Editor,

May 20 marks one year since live exports were banned from Great Britain ending long, gruelling journeys abroad for millions of animals. This was a historic moment of celebration after more than 50 years of campaigning and a milestone moment for the UK as leaders in animal welfare.

However, one year on and we fear this law is now in jeopardy. There’s fears the UK Government could backtrack on the milestone ban. Crucially, Ministers have failed to confirm if a reversal of the ban could be on the negotiating table following the news of a breakthrough in the EU trade deal. The UK was able to introduce a ban once the UK left the European Union but as politicians confirm their intention to re-set the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with Europe, the ban must not be dismantled as part of talks.

Any backtracking on this law and a return to animals taking on these gruelling journeys to the continent once more would be a terrible step backwards for our animal welfare standards. No perceived trade benefits can mitigate that. Transporting live animals causes them to suffer unnecessary, long, crowded journeys abroad resulting in mental exhaustion, physical injury, hunger, dehydration, severe stress and even death. It is unthinkable that we could allow these practices to return.

Many of your readers in Essex will have witnessed the cruel export of animals at ports like Brightlingsea in the past and many joined us in passionately campaigning to see this brought to an end in the region. There have been important protests at ports in recent years with residents and organisations tirelessly campaigning to see an end to this cruel practice and many will be extremely troubled that this could be a possibility once more.

Figures from Defra show up to 40 million farm animals, including sheep, calves and pigs, were exported from Britain for further rearing or slaughter since the 1960s. This equates to 13,888 a week or 82 animals suffering every hour.

We urge the UK Government to ensure live animal exports remain consigned to the past – where they belong.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA