Thursday 27 February 2014

Thanet Council - High Court Verdict in Live Animal Exports Case

The High Court has today (Thursday 27 February) ruled that Thanet District Council did not have the power to impose a temporary ban preventing live animal exports from the Port of Ramsgate.
As part of the ruling, the council will be liable to pay compensation to the exporters to cover the loss of income incurred as a result of the ban.

The council is exploring the options for appeal with our legal advisors.

Cabinet Member for Business, Corporate and Regulatory Services, Cllr Michelle Fenner, said: “We’re extremely disappointed by today’s ruling, especially given the recent convictions of some of the exporters for animal cruelty.
“Our position has always been to work within the legal framework to ensure the welfare of animals and to highlight the ill-treatment of animals in transit.
“The decision to impose the temporary ban in 2012 was not taken lightly and was supported by legal advice following the horrific slaughter of more than 40 animals at the Port.
“We took this action at the time to protect the welfare of animals and to protect our members of staff – as there are no suitable facilities in place at the Port.
“There is little change in the fact that we know our hands are tied by Central Government and Defra, however we will explore the options for appealing the decision and consider this trade to be morally wrong.”

The scale of the damages is still to be determined.

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