RSPCA takes battle to EC
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• The RSPCA has abandoned its plan to take legal action to stop hauliers from taking live sheep to France, but is stepping up its campaign for European legislation to improve conditions for all livestock in transit.
Last month's High Court ruling against the RSPCA case on the export of sheep to French slaughterhouses (CM 15-21 November) left the Society with two options: a UK appeal or to take the case directly to the European Court. But the high cost of legal action has forced the RSPCA to admit: "We've come to the end of the legal road."
However, the RSPCA claims that its public campaign has attracted considerable support with more than 8,000 telephone calls and 55,000 petition signatures since its launch last month.
The society will be lobbying the European Council of Agricultural Ministers when they meet early in the year to review transport legislation.