AN animal welfare charity said they are 'thrilled' that the live export ban was among the issues raised in the supplementary notes of the King's speech on Tuesday (November 7). 

The speech set out the government's agenda for the coming political year, listing new laws including measures on oil and gas licences, cigarette smoking and more. 

And the RSPCA has welcomed the news that the King's speech confirmed plans to end the live export of animals is back on the agenda. 

The Kept Animals Bill would have put an end to live exports in Britain, however it was dismantled in May this year. 

The RSPCA say they have been campaigning against live exports for more than 50 years. They say aorund 1.6million farm animals - cattle, sheep, pigs and horses - are transported huge distances across Europe annually. Some are moved for slaughted and some for fattening and they have to undergo journeys that last hours and hours, exhausting them, causing suffering and sometimes death. 

As well as the live export of animals, the King's speech also announced plans to give tenants the ‘right to request pets’ as part of the Renters Reform Bill - ending blanket bans on pet ownership in the private rented sector - and a pledge to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes which can cause problems for wildlife.

Head of public affairs at the RSPCA, David Bowles, said that Tuesday was a 'historic day' for animal welfare. 

"After half a century of campaigning to see an end of live exports, we’re incredibly pleased that the UK Government has prioritised this - albeit as the only animal welfare issue taken forward in their programme," he added. 

“This King’s Speech,  the last one before the election, is an acid test of the UK Government’s true commitment to animal welfare and we now urge them to make good on this promise, finally get this legislation over the line, and bring in a ban on this cruel and barbaric practice.

“Despite the strength of public feeling, the UK Government has been dragging its feet on bringing in a ban which is why having the importance of this issue recognised in the King’s Speech is such a significant moment.”