Joanna Lumley Heads CIWF Live Export Ban
UK - Joanna Lumley has launched Compassion in World Farming’s 2012 push against long distance live animal transport. She unveiled the charity’s new national bus advertising campaign.The event launched a series of bus adverts which were the result of winning the CBS Outdoor Big Bus Challenge last year. The competition was for the design of an advert, with a £200,000 bus campaign as the prize. Our adverts, designed by Elvis Communications, are being used to highlight the resurgence in live exports from this country, and the situation across the world.
n 2011, the number of calf and sheep exports from Britain to the continent increased three-fold to more than 80,000.
At the event Joanna Lumley addressed the media saying: “The numbers involved in live exports is shocking. We need to act on this ghastly trade now. 2012 is an auspicious year. This is the year for change.
“We ask farmers to please find alternatives and we need to make it more lucrative for them to slaughter their animals closer to home. Ask your MEP to enforce an eight hour limit and stop and think about your food and where it comes from. I urge you all to take more responsibility."
The only port used for exports to the continent as of May last year was Ramsgate, Kent. CIWF is calling on the authorities there to raise the price they charge.
Commenting on CIWF's campaign, Peter Hardwick, head of trade development for English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), said: “Live exports are permitted under European Law and the trade is far more common between other Member States of the EU than from UK. There are strict EU rules relating to transport times, rest periods, vehicle standards and other animal welfare provisions and provided these are met, this is a legal trade.”
TheCattleSite News Desk