The Government has announced proposals on new measures to enhance the welfare of animals in the UK and abroad.

The measures include proposals to ban long journeys of live animals that are being transported for slaughter, and restrictions on the import and export of hunting trophies from endangered animals.

Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "High standards of animal welfare are one of the hallmarks of a civilised society.

"We have a long tradition of protecting animals in this country, often many years before others follow. Leaving the EU allows us to take even bigger steps forward on this. These proposals will protect our animals in our homes, in agriculture, and in the wild.

"I have campaigned for an end to live exports for slaughter and the consultation is a further step in taking forward our manifesto commitment on this issue. "This is an important victory for all those thousands of people across the country who have campaigned for tougher measures to protect animal welfare."

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The Government will consult on improving animal welfare in the transport of live animals, including banning long journeys to slaughter. Last year Defra issued a call for evidence in relation to future welfare in transport standards, followed by commissioning external research and inviting the Farm Animal Welfare Committee to conduct a review and make recommendations.

The Government proposes to accept recommendations from the Farm Animal Welfare Committee that live animal journeys should be minimised and that animals for slaughter should not be transported longer distances if suitable alternatives are available. FAWC’s report will inform a public consultation on this issue, which will be published in due course.

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