Robert supports campaign to end cruel long distance horse transport
ROBERT STURDY SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN TO END CRUEL LONG DISTANCE HORSE TRANSPORT
Robert Sturdy is fully supporting a World Horse Welfare initiative that wants to end the cruel long distance transport to slaughter of Europe’s most vulnerable horses.
Mr Sturdy, along with fellow Conservative MEPs, has signed a written declaration in the European Parliament calling for an urgent review of EU legislation governing the welfare of animals during transport to slaughter. A Written Declaration is similar to a House of Commons Early Day Motion. However, if over half of the Members of the European Parliament sign up to it, it will become a formal resolution of the parliament – possibly resulting in the European Commission coming forward with legislative proposals
Currently some 100,000 horses a year are being transported across Europe to slaughter without rest, food or water. These journeys are inhumane and totally unnecessary.
Latest figures estimate that 100,000 horses are transported in atrocious conditions across Europe to slaughter. Imagine a 12 hour journey from Bulgaria or Romania to Italy often without rest, water or food in the stifling heat. Journeys such as these are inhumane and can lead to exhaustion, injury, pain suffering and stress.
Mr Sturdy said:
“Most of these journeys are completely unnecessary as slaughter facilities exist across Europe, so why are these horses being moved around like this? Within the UK, transporting a horse in a way that is detrimental to its welfare is a breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Act states that a person commits an offence if they are responsible for an animal, either permanently or temporarily and cause the animal to suffer, or fail to ensure its need are met.
“I have given my support to urgently review and change this legislation to make these loopholes a thing of the past.”
