A bill that aims to ban the live export of farm animals from the UK for fattening or slaughter passed through the first reading stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Conservative MP Theresa Villiers brought forward the bill and told MPs that the live export of farm animals was an animal welfare concern.

The export of breeding livestock is not covered by the bill and the proposed ban does not include the movement of live animals across the Irish border, unless the animals are destined for a third country for slaughter or fattening.

“The Republic of Ireland could not be used as backdoor route to continue live exports from the UK to mainland Europe,” Villiers said.

Backdoor

She said that 20,000 calves were exported from Northern Ireland to Spain via the Republic of Ireland last year and that 40,000 sheep were exported from Britain to France.

The National Sheep Association has urged MPs to exercise extreme care when considering the proposals, stating they could cause unintended and unnecessary consequences for no welfare gain.

“This would stop what can be a very direct trade from the southeast of England to northern Europe with journey times that can be less than some internal UK trips,” said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker.

Rules

Villiers told MPs on Wednesday that the ban would not breach World Trade Organisation rules on trade restrictions as prohibiting live animal exports would fall under public moral exception rules.

The second stage reading of the bill is scheduled for February and, if the proposals make it through the legislative process, the ban would come into effect once the UK leaves the EU.

At present, the proposed ban is not allowed in the UK under EU free movement of goods rules and it can only be allowed if the UK government continues with plans to leave the Single Market and Customs Union.