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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why more and more adults are reaching for soft toys
Under The Radar Does the popularity of the Squishmallow show Gen Z are 'scared to grow up'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Labour's plan for change: is Keir Starmer pulling a Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question New 'Plan for Change' calls to mind former PM's much maligned 'five priorities'
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Labour risking the 'special relationship'?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer forced to deny Donald Trump's formal complaint that Labour staffers are 'interfering' to help Harris campaign
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Men in Gray suits: why the plots against Starmer's top adviser?
Today's Big Question Increasingly damaging leaks about Sue Gray reflect 'bitter acrimony' over her role and power struggle in new government
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published