RSPCA seeks hearing over live exports decision
The RSPCA is to seek a hearing in the High Court to determine whether the charity can take its live animal exports judicial review application to a full hearing.
The charity applied in December to seek a judicial review of the arrangements operated by Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) for the approval and supervision of live animal exports through the port of Ramsgate.
The permission was refused by Mr Justice Males following a consideration of the court papers.
He stated: "There is no arguable illegality in the policy or practice of AHVLA in relation to its authorisation or inspection of live sheep through the Port of Ramsgate to Calais."
Thanet District Council lifted its temporary ban on live exports at Ramsgate in November.
The animals are transported over to Calais on an open-decked, flat bottomed converted Russian tank transporter, the MV Joline.
The local authority had closed the port, which has no livestock handling facilities, to live exports in September following an incident when over 40 sheep had to be destroyed.
The port was then re-opened in October following legal action by Dutch exporters.
The RSPCA said AHVLA 'acted unlawfully' in failing to require exporters to use ports with appropriate facilities and failing to impose sailing restrictions.
"We are taking this stand because we believe AHVLA's approach is failing to safeguard animal welfare and is in breach of European laws designed to protect animals from injury or undue suffering during transport" said Ray Goodfellow, chief legal officer at RSPCA.
"We believe we have a strong case which deserves to be heard."
"The issues remain the same - the lack of facilities at or near the port to deal with emergencies, the use of an old tank transporter to ship animals across the Channel in rough weather and the failure to thoroughly inspect animals at the port are all unacceptable."
"These issues have serious implications for animal welfare which is why the RSPCA is pressing its case further."
