More than 25,000 readers are backing the Western Morning News campaign to stop a resumption of the live export of horses, ponies and donkeys for meat.

The signatures on the newspaper's petition against the trade, which would see the animals enduring distressing and exhausting journeys across Europe, has been collected in just three weeks.

The WMN believes the response shown by readers demonstrates the overwhelming strength of feeling against the live export trade, which experts fear may be restarted in the wake of changes in EU animal welfare rules.

As well as thousands of signatures, the paper has received hundreds of letters supporting the campaign.

It plans to lobby the Government to ensure that an opt-out clause, known as a derogation, is put in a draft EU regulation aimed at tightening up the conditions in which animals are exported across Europe.

And a spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "The petition indicates clearly the strength of feeling of the readers of the Western Morning News and we shall continue to secure protection of horses and ponies in discussion on EU Commission proposals.

"However, it is clear that rules already existing to protect animals from mistreatment during transport and there is no question of the introduction of an inhumane regime now or in the future."

Horrific pictures together with WMN reports moved readers to support the campaign. They fear Dartmoor ponies could be transported and killed on the Continent for food.

John Smales, chief executive of the International League for the Protection of Horses, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that readers of the Western Morning News have supported the campaign so well."

Westcountry MEP Neil Parish is putting his weight behind the campaign and is pressing for a meeting with European Commissioner David Byrne to discuss concerns raised by animal rights campaigners that the British ban on exporting ponies, horses and donkeys is on shaky ground in EU law.

He wants a clause maintaining Britain's ban on the export of horses, ponies and donkeys for slaughter to be included in an EU regulation aimed at improving the conditions and reducing the journey times of animals exported across Europe.

Because of the public response to the campaign, and continuing demand for copies of the petition, the WMN is extending the closing date until the beginning of next month.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk