THE RSPCA has thanked Ellesmere Port MP Justin Madders for his help in securing a ban on live exports of animals from Great Britain.

The ban represents a major milestone in improving the welfare of Britain’s farmed animals and comes after more than 50 years of campaigning.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill has passed its final stage in Parliament and will soon be enshrined in law.

It means British animals will soon be spared unnecessary, gruelling journeys – some lasting for over 100 hours – when being exported abroad in cramped and poor conditions.

Figures from Government department Defra show up to 40 million farm animals, including sheep, calves and pigs, have been exported from Britain for further rearing or slaughter since the 1960s. This equates to 13,888 a week or 82 animals suffering every hour.

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, said: “We are a nation of animal lovers with some of the best standards on animal welfare in the world which is why I’m thrilled that this outdated practice is now banned in Great Britain.

“Farm animals will no longer have to make these gruelling journeys abroad for fattening and slaughter and I’m proud that my colleagues and I have helped to make this happen. It's been amazing to see the campaigning efforts of organisations like the RSPCA, ensuring this ban got over the line.”

Emma Slawinski,  RSPCA director of advocacy and policy, said: “This is a historic day in the RSPCA’s 200-year history as something we have campaigned on for so long is finally outlawed. It is a huge step forward for animal welfare and will now prevent animals suffering unnecessary, long, crowded journeys abroad causing them mental exhaustion, physical injury, hunger, dehydration, severe stress and even death.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Justin Madders and everyone who has campaigned on this vital animal welfare issue, and all the decision makers who acted for animals.”