Options to restrict the export of live farm animals are being considered by the UK government, Defra junior minister Thérèse Coffey has said.

A private members’ bill that aims to ban the live export of farm animals from the UK for fattening or slaughter was brought forward by backbench MP Theresa Villiers in October.

Although most private members’ bills do not become law, farmer organisations have raised concerns about the issue, especially given that controlling live exports was also mentioned in the Conservative party’s manifesto earlier this year.

Speaking in Westminster on Tuesday, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defra Thérèse Coffey said: “Our manifesto commitment made it clear that we would take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter once we leave the EU. We are currently considering options.”

During her address, Coffey discussed controlling the transport of live animals from the UK across Europe, but described the issue as complex. “Any future proposals would have to consider trade between the UK and Ireland, whether that is with Northern Ireland or across the Republic of Ireland,” she said.