Banning Live Animal Exports

Learning from a Century-Long Campaign

This is the first book to look at live exports of animals, one of the most emotive animal welfare issues still needing to be solved. The only animal welfare issue raised as a Brexit dividend, live exports were finally stopped in 2025. Why did it take 100 years to achieve this result and what can we learn from the campaign?

This is the first book to look at live exports of animals, one of the most emotive animal welfare issues still needing to be solved. The UK’s historical concern with the exportation of animals to Europe has resulted in the creation of organisations to oppose it, mass demonstrations and even people dying in their efforts to stop the practice. The only animal welfare issue raised as a Brexit dividend, live exports were finally stopped in 2025. Why did it take 100 years to achieve this result?

In this book, David Bowles explores why live export of animals ever happened and why it ended, examining the economic, social and public opinion drivers, Britain’s challenging relationship with Europe, and the different species impacted. It assesses campaigns to stop the trade in horses, sheep, cattle and calves from eight different countries, and determines why some were successful whilst others have increased rather than stopped. For instance,

• How was the First World War important in stopping the live export of horses from Britain?
• Why did live exports of cattle start after the Second World War and how was the British trade stopped?
• Why did Australia ban the live exports of sheep but not cattle?
• Do agricultural subsidies encourage or curtail live exports?
• How can you construct a live exports ban and remain consistent with international trade and animal welfare rules?
• How important was Brexit in the decision to ban live export of animals?
• Can other countries follow the UK and Australia in the future as campaigning in developing and importing countries starts?

Delving into campaigning tactics, Bowles asks whether the British ban is the beginning of the end for all live exports of animals or just a curious anomaly, specific to a so-called nation of animal lovers.

As well as being highly relevant for those in animal welfare, this book offers insights for anybody in social/political advocacy, campaigning and activism, regardless of the issue.

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