Today (14^th June), celebrities and prominent figures including Harry Potter star, Evanna Lynch, Downton Abbey and After Life actor, Peter Egan, and TV Vets Emma Milne and Marc Abraham OBE, joined leading farm animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming in London, on Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day, to protest against the cruel trade. The rally highlighted the gruelling journeys which farm animals have to endure, when they are exported overseas from Britain for slaughter or fattening. 

Despite the UK Government promising to end cruel live exports for slaughter and fattening, the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which when it becomes law, will ban the trade from Britain has been extremely slow to progress through parliament. It has not been seen since November 2021, although in April, the Government agreed to carry a motion forward through the next Parliamentary session.  

The annual event followed the disastrous news over the weekend, that over 15,000 sheep drowned in a port in Sudan during an export, reinforcing the urgent need for action to be taken to Ban Live Exports here in the UK and across the globe. 

“It is absolutely appalling that after 50 years of relentless campaigning to Ban Live Exports, we are still having to demonstrate our opposition to this horrific cruelty,” said Sarah Moyes, Senior UK Campaigns Manager at Compassion in World Farming. “British animals are forced to endure overcrowding, pain, stress, exhaustion and dehydration when exported abroad.  It’s time for the Government to deliver on their promise and end this inhumane trade once and for all.”  

Over 200 supporters, MPs, and likeminded organisations joined the protest. Speakers included Peter Egan, Emma Milne, Marc Abraham OBE, Daniel Zeichner Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and Theresa Villiers MP (Conservative).

Taking centre stage at the event was a ‘giant suitcase’, which members of the public added signed ‘luggage tags’, calling on the UK Government to honour its manifesto pledge and make live exports from Great Britain illegal.

Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day was started by the charity in 2016. Held on 14^th June every year, it brings people together around the world to protest against the continuation of this cruel and unnecessary trade. This year sees the launch of a hard-hitting new video featuring a spoof travel agency advert mocking the UK Government’s failure to protect the welfare of farmed animals during live export journeys.   

Many famous faces lent their support to the day including entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star, Deborah Meaden, who said: “The awful suffering endured by vulnerable animals transported over long distances, is truly horrific and completely unnecessary. On Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day, and every day, I’m proud to support Compassion in World Farming as the driving force pushing for an end to live exports for slaughter and fattening from Britain.

"It’s time for the UK Government to finally take action and deliver on its promise. It’s time to Ban Live Exports!”

Actor and animal advocate, Evanna Lynch, who attended the event, said: “The UK Government has promised to ban the export of farm animals from the UK, but they simply aren’t delivering. That’s why it's vital we demand an end to live exports on Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day. We simply will not tolerate this cruelty any longer.”

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Compassion in World Farming’s Media Team: 01483 521 615 mediateam@ciwf.org.uk

To request a pdf version of this press release, please email media.team@ciwf.org.uk

Notes to editors:

Additional quotes from celebrities supporting Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day listed below:

Mark Abraham OBE – Vet and campaigner

“The live export of animals from the UK subjects calves and sheep to enormous suffering. Despite the UK Government promising to end this cruel trade, they simply aren’t delivering. There has been enough dither and delay. It’s time to do what is right and at long last. It’s time to Ban Live Exports!”

Mike Beckingham - Actor

“We’ve been waiting for a ban on this cruel trade for far too long. It’s time for the UK Government to follow through on their promise and end it for good. On 14th June, please join me in supporting Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day and help be the voice of the voiceless.”

Peter Egan - Actor

“Live animal exports from Britain cause huge suffering to both calves and sheep. We have no right to treat animals in this way! I urge everyone to support Compassion in World Farming on Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day and call on the Government to finally end this terrible trade.”

Kate Ford - Actor

“The true horror of live exports never fails to shock me. Yet, this unimaginable cruelty is still allowed by law. The UK Government must deliver the Kept Animals Bill to finally Ban Live Exports from Britain. Please stand with me and Compassion in World Farming on Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day and let’s make our voices heard.

James Greenwood – TV Vet

“Animals suffer greatly when exports over land and sea - routinely experiencing pain, stress, overcrowding, exhaustion, and dehydration. Ban Live Exports: International Day of Awareness is our opportunity to speak out against this cruel and unnecessary trade. This appalling suffering must end.”

Emma Milne – TV Vet

“We need an outright ban on the export of animals for slaughter and fattening from the UK. Export journeys cause unimaginable suffering and there is no justification for this cruel trade. We need to show compassion and take action to Ban Live Exports on 14^th June.”