The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has published its report on the slaughter of more than 40 sheep at Ramsgate port last September.

Following the incident, farm minister David Heath asked to review its operational procedures. The report makes a number of recommendations.

These procedural changes are:
• Inspection of every consignment passing through Ramsgate;
• Tougher enforcement of welfare procedures;
• AHVLA implementing its own contingency plans in the event of an emergency if the transporter is unwilling or unable to implement their own plans within two hours;
• Improved procedures to ensure an AHVLA vet is always within an hour of the port to assist AHVLA inspectors in the event of an emergency or welfare concern;
• Working with the operator of the transport vessel to develop new contingency measures in the event of an emergency;
• Restricting changes that the transporter can make to the journey log of the delivery prior to the export. This will help maintain clear records of the animals during the journey.

In September, a consignment of 540 sheep was unloaded at the Kent port, which resulted in three sheep drowning and more than 40 others having to be humanely killed.

An AHVLA spokesman summarised the findings of the report, saying: “The sheep had been off-loaded from the transport vehicle to allow AHVLA and RSPCA inspectors access to injured animal.

“While suitable transport was being arranged to move the animals from the port, all the sheep were examined by AHVLA and RSPCA and the lame animals were separated for additional examination.

“Forty-one lame animals were identified and AHVLA and RSPCA vets agreed the sheep were unfit to be transported and would need to be humanely destroyed on site.

“The 41 were closed in a pen, shielded from public view by RSPCA officers assisted by the AHVLA under the direction of a vet.”