THE welcome end of the foot and mouth epidemic brings with it one very real danger: the resumption of the cruel live animal export trade. The suffering of sheep and lambs in severely overcrowded trucks, often without food or water, for journeys which can last for 40 hours or more, is a practice that must never resume.
Before foot and mouth the UK was exporting around 800,000 lambs and sheep a year, many being sent all the way to Italy, Greece and Spain. Many farmers are eager to return to this trade.
I urge sheep farmers not to go back to live exports.
Instead, animals should be slaughtered here in Britain, with our exports in meat form.
As foot and mouth comes to an end, many people want to see farming go forward in a way which is humane and sustainable and not be tarnished by the cruelty of live animal exports.
The export of live animals is vile and reprehensible and must never resume.
David Boultwood,
Alma Court,
York.
Updated: 11:20 Saturday, March 09, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article