World Horse Welfare has welcomed last week’s announcement by the UK and Welsh Governments of proposals to improve welfare during transport for equines in England and Wales.
The move follows a ‘welfare during transport’ consultation earlier this year, to which the charity responded.
Alongside a ban on live export to slaughter, which is already included in legislation being considered by the UK Parliament, these proposals would introduce a maximum journey time of 12 hours for all horses transported commercially. This would replace the current maximum journey length of 24 hours for slaughter and unregistered horses and introducing a journey time limit for registered horses.
Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “These proposals mark a very significant and positive step toward improving the welfare of equines when being transported and we look forward to working with Defra, the Welsh Government and the equestrian sector to ensure these proposals both protect equines during what is often a stressful and exhausting experience and are practical for…
