PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
RESUMPTION OF THE EXPORT OF LIVE CALVES (8 March 2006)

That this House regrets that the lifting of the beef ban will result in an escalation of live animal exports out of Dover and allow the resumption of the cruel practice of transporting young calves to veal farms in continental Europe; notes that scientific research shows that young calves are not well adapted to cope with transport and so suffer considerably during sea crossings and long journeys; further notes that once they reach the continent, many of the calves will be kept in veal crates, which remain lawful in the European Union until the end of 2006, or in barren units in which they are kept on concrete or slatted floors without any straw or other bedding; further notes that such barren systems are illegal under UK legislation which requires calves to be provided with bedding until the age of six months; urges dairy farmers not to resume the export of calves to continental veal farms; further notes that the Government wants to see a trade in meat rather than live animals; and urges the Government to discourage dairy farmers from returning to this inhumane trade and to help them find welfare-friendly and economically viable uses for male dairy calves.

Sponsored by:
Gwyn Prosser (Labour)