Michael Gove has been accused of backpedalling on a plan to ban the export of live animals from the UK after Brexit.
The Environment Secretary “sparked anger” yesterday after he signalled that the government could stop short of outlawing the practice, the Daily Mirror reports.
When asked three times about the issue on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Gove “repeatedly avoided using the word ban - using the word ‘restrict’ instead”, the newspaper says.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The government already has the power to place further restrictions on live animal exports, but would only be able to ban the practice after Brexit, due to EU regulations.
In April, Gove announced a six-week consultation on a potential ban on the export of live animals after Britain leaves the EU, but has yet to publish its conclusions.
“All animals deserve to get the respect and care they deserve at every stage of their lives,” he said at the time, adding that he was keen to hear “all possible options and evidence” on the issue.
Former Conservative minister Theresa Villiers told the BBC earlier this year that Gove was “looking very seriously” at putting an end to the practice outright.
But during yesterday’s interview, the Environment Secretary repeatedly dodged questions about a ban, insisting that it was still “possible” and that “all options” remained on the table.
“We're going to see restrictions on live animal exports, certainly, and we're consulting at the moment,” he said.
Animal rights campaigners have been calling for a live export ban for decades, and have expressed their dismay at the apparent U-turn.
“The campaign to stop live exports is one that has run for many years, and an issue people feel very strongly about,” says James West, spokesperson for the Compassion in World Farming group.
It will be a “major disappointment to the majority of British citizens if the Government abandon their plans”, he added.
Labour shadow environment minister David Drew said Gove was “backpedalling on his promise” and called for urgent clarification from the government on the issue.
A Conservative spokesperson responded by accusing Labour of “hypocrisy” and said a ban “remains a possibility”.
The Labour Party manifesto “had nothing to say on this vital issue and now they are desperately playing catch-up”, they added.
-
Is a Reform-Tory pact becoming more likely?Today’s Big Question Nigel Farage’s party is ahead in the polls but still falls well short of a Commons majority, while Conservatives are still losing MPs to Reform
-
The launch of Your Party: how it could workThe Explainer Despite landmark decisions made over the party’s makeup at their first conference, core frustrations are ‘likely to only intensify in the near-future’
-
What does the fall in net migration mean for the UK?Today’s Big Question With Labour and the Tories trying to ‘claim credit’ for lower figures, the ‘underlying picture is far less clear-cut’
-
Will the public buy Rachel Reeves’s tax rises?Today’s Big Question The Chancellor refused to rule out tax increases in her televised address, and is set to reverse pledges made in the election manifesto
-
Five takeaways from Plaid Cymru’s historic Caerphilly by-election winThe Explainer The ‘big beasts’ were ‘humbled’ but there was disappointment for second-placed Reform too
-
The Chinese threat: No. 10’s evidence leads to more questionsTalking Point Keir Starmer is under pressure after collapsed spying trial
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strongTalking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rightsThe Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
