Lamb ban a step closer
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• The RSPCA has moved a step closer to winning a ban on the export of live sheep to France with its High Court victory last week which could seriously hit livestock hauliers.
The court ruled that the RSPCA was entitled to a full judicial review to present its case against export of live sheep while the violent protests by French farmers continue. The RSPCA says the Agriculture Minister John Gummer is in breach of the Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981 which is designed to prevent the Minister from issuing export licences unless he is satisfied that animals are not suffering unnecessarily.
The Ministry of Agriculture has now been given two weeks to prepare its defence against the RSPCA allegations.
The RSPCA's court case, which proved successful on appeal after its first application for a judical review was thrown out, is part of a wider campaign to stop the movement of livestock abroad. "It is sheer lunacy to transport animals these distances when they could be taken to the nearest slaughterhouse in Britain before export," says the RSPCA.
A Society advertisement depicts a waiter holding a dead, bedraggled sheep with the challenge: "How would you like your lamb, sir?"
The RSPCA's case may be helped by a resurgence of violent activity in France after a fortnight of calm. Plowman Hauliers of Suttonon-Forest, which has already been a victim of sheep burning at Poitiers, had a lorry load of 545 sheep hijacked last week.
British hauliers are now progressing claims for compensation to the French government. MFP International is claiming 25,000 to 210,000 as a result of delays.
But MFP partner Jeremy Francis is not impressed by the RSPCA case; "They're barking up the wrong tree," he says, "protection for British livestock is second to none — if we don't export it, customers will go to countries who export without any protection for the animals."
CI The Road Haulage Association has issued comprehensive guidelines on how hauliers can claim compensation from the French government.
It recommends a detailed statement should be prepared showing financial loss; injury to drivers; damage to vehicles; a copy of any police statements; substantiation of the claim from the importers; and the cost of translation.
Copies of the statement in English and French should then be sent to: Mr N Day, Sheep Policy Branch, Room 513, 1VIAFF, Whitehall Place West, London SW1 21-111. A separate copy should be sent to the vehicles and goods insurers.
Where a driver has been injured, and the extent of the injury is not fully known in terms of compensation, hauliers should write to the French Embassy, 24 Rutland Gate, London SW7, with information in English and French.