Take action

Help Stop Live Animal Exports from the European Union

Millions of animals are transported every year from the EU to destinations including the Middle East, Turkey, Russia and North Africa. Journeys might last hundreds of hours and can even result in the death of the animals involved before they reach their destination.

Act now to stop the live export of animals from the EU

Shocking footage of EU animals being exported to countries outside the EU has been uncovered by Compassion in World Farming, Eyes on Animals and the Animal Welfare Foundation. Please email the EU Commission to stop the trade.

Email Commissioner Borg now >>

Help Stop Live Animal Exports from Dover

In 2012, over 47,000 animals left Britain, destined for further fattening and slaughter on the continent. Exports were temporarily suspended from Ramsgate port following an animal welfare disaster in September 2012 but, after a brief resumption of the trade from Ramsgate, we fear the trade may now begin to grow again following a move back to the port of Dover in early May 2013.

1. Call for legislative change

Email your MP and ask them to use the Private Members Bill ballot to secure changes to the 1847 Ports and Harbours Act that would allow ports to refuse the live export trade (UK residents only)

Email your MP now >>

2. Sign our UK Government e-petition

If you live in the UK or are a UK citizen, please sign the e-petition on the UK Government website that calls for an end to the live export trade. Together with the RSPCA, we are working to get 100,000 signatures. Sign here:

Sign the petition now >>

3. Write to Defra

Please send a message to Defra asking them to permanently halt live animal exports from Ramsgate as it clearly does not have the facilities to handle the animals in a safe manner and to show the Government just how many people oppose live exports.

Write to Defra >>

Other actions to help end the long distance transport of animals.

• Help stop the Ireland to Libya live export trade
• Sign up for email updates from us here
• Become a friend of Compassion's Facebook page
• Like the Facebook page of Stop Live Exports from the Port of Ramsgate, run by Ian Driver, the local councillor who is a driving force in the campaign to end live exports through the port of Ramsgate
• Support Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE) by attending their demos at Ramsgate Port when live animal exports take place. If you would like further information about when live animal exports are leaving Ramsgate, please email kaale@kaale.org.uk with your name and mobile telephone number and ask for your details to be added to their list of people who receive text message alerts.

Please note: Compassion supports legal non-violent protest against live exports. Since we oppose violence to animals, we also oppose violence, intimidation and abuse towards people during any protest. We would additionally recommend that noise levels are kept low in the presence of animal trucks – the animals are suffering enough stress already.

What else can be done?

• Join us to protest in Dublin on 24th April 2013
• Sign up to the blog of Compassion's Chief Executive, Philip Lymbery
• Only buy organic milk and dairy products and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
• Learn more about live animal transport and live animal export by reading reports by Compassion
• Reduce the need for calf exports. If you buy veal, buy British veal.
• Donate to Compassion in World Farming and help support our campaigns.