Has Michael Gove backtracked on live animal export ban?
Labour and animal rights campaigners accuse the Environment Secretary of going back on his promise

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.
Subscribe to 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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Critics' choice: 2025 James Beard Award winners
Feature Featuring a casually elegant restaurant, recipes nearly lost to war, and more
-
How will Trump's spending bill impact student loans?
the explainer Here's what the Republicans' domestic policy bill means for current and former students
-
Can the US economy survive Trump's copper tariffs?
Today's Big Question The price hike 'could upend' the costs of cars, houses and appliances
-
Mortgage reform: is Rachel Reeves betting the house on City rules shake-up?
Today's Big Question Reforms could create up to 36,000 additional mortgages next year
-
Corbynism returns: a new party on the Left
Talking Point Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's breakaway progressive party has already got off to a shaky start
-
How will Labour pay for welfare U-turn?
Today's Big Question A dramatic concession to Labour rebels has left the government facing more fiscal dilemmas
-
Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?
Today's Big Question Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?
-
Labour's brewing welfare rebellion
The Explainer Keir Starmer seems determined to press on with disability benefit cuts despite a "nightmare" revolt by his own MPs
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
'Retailers have a role to play, too'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer