WEST DORSET'S MP has once more called for an end to the exportation of live animals.

Chris Loder has sent a submission to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultation on the welfare of animals in transport, calling for them to stop as soon as possible.

Mr Loder, whose family has been farming in west Dorset for almost 100 years, says that he cares deeply about the welfare of farm animals at all stages in their life.

Mr Loder said: “Live animal exports are an unnecessary cruelty to our farm animals. I urge the Government to fulfil our manifesto pledge to ban live animal exports as I outlined in the House of Commons of Friday, October 23.

"Farmers do not want to see their animals exported by land and sea for hours on end only to be slaughtered appallingly abroad. Animals are sentient. Where we have the means to improve welfare for animals, we should do so. This is a matter of humanity, and I look forward to the banning of live animals being exported as soon as possible.”

Plans to ban the the export of live animals from England and Wales for slaughter and fattening were revealed in December by the UK’s environment secretary, George Eustice.

An estimated 6,400 animals were sent to Europe for slaughter in 2018, according to the DEFRA.

Mr Loder believes that the current regulations in regards to animal welfare in transport do not go far enough to protect said animals. Now that the UK has left the European Union, he feels there is the opportunity to go further with stopping the live export of our farm animals.