Green Euro-MP visits Ramsgate to call for end to live exports

02 November 2011

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Wednesday 2 November, 15:00

LOCATION: Government Acre, off the Royal Esplanade, Ramsgate, CT11 0HE

Keith Taylor, the Green MEP for Kent and the South East, will visit Ramsgate today, Wednesday 2 November, to show his support for campaigners who are demanding an end to live animal exports from Ramsgate port.

Keith is visiting Ramsgate to find out from local campaigners what is happening at the port and to discuss how he can support them in their work to try to ban this cruel trade. Keith will meet with campaigners to hear what is happening at the port, discuss their concerns and to find out how he can further support their work to try to ban this cruel practice.

Keith has recently raised his concerns about the welfare of animals being exported from Ramsgate with James Paice MP, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food. He has also written to European Commissioner Dalli urging him to ensure better enforcement of EU standards and to consider the introduction of an 8 hour maximum journey limit for animal transportation, as a step towards ending all live exports.

Keith Taylor MEP said: “There is evidence that animals are transported over thousands of kilometres with EU welfare protection safeguards ignored or poorly applied, causing suffering and distress to the animals. It is not acceptable to allow such practices to continue merely to satisfy traders' thirst for profit. EU welfare standards must be rigorously enforced and stricter transport time limits introduced as a step towards ending live exports. I am looking forward to discussing this issue with local campaigners and finding out what more I can do to support them.”

Thanet and Ramsgate Councillor, Ian Driver, who helped to launch the campaign against live exports from Ramsgate said: “I am delighted that Keith is coming to meet us. We are now beginning to attract national attention to our campaign and with the support of Keith, our local MP Laura Sandys and Peter Skinner MEP, we now have some very powerful and influential people backing us”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. According to Compassion in World Farming there have been more than 30 shipments of sheep and claves involving over 45,000 animals, since the trade from Ramsgate began in May 2011.

2. According to Compassion in World Farming many of the journeys undertaken cover vast distances. Information provided shows journeys as long as Yr Ystrad, North Wales (168 unweaned calves) to France, Cockermouth, Cumbria (115 unweaned calves) to France and Cockermouth, Cumbria (134 unweaned calves) through Dover to Spain. Other destinations include Holland, Belgium and Germany.

3. According to Compassion in World Farming EU Regulation (1/2005) on the protection of animals is often poorly enforced. Breaches of the regulations that have been revealed pursuant to Freedom of Information requests include: water systems being empty or not working; emergency feed stops not being undertaken; ventilation fans not working; and journey logs not being properly completed or returned for inspection following the journey.

To arrange an interview or to attend the photo call please contact Alice Taylor on 0207 250 8418 or 07950 382149 or keithpress@greenmeps.org.uk

Follow Keith on Twitter: @GreenKeithMEP