NORTH Thanet MP Roger Gale has accused government ministers of preparing to give way to Europe over the export of live horses for slaughter for human consumption.

Mr Gale, president of the Conservative Animal Welfare Group, said that MPs of all political parties had fought for years against the export of animals ‘on the hoof rather than on the hook’ and those campaigns have been directed predominantly at the export of sheep and cattle.

He said that for nearly 70 years horses have been protected by the ‘minimum value’ rule that stipulates that no equine worth less than £5,000 may be exported live.

This has allowed the transfer of animals for racing, showing and breeding while preventing the transport of aged, sick and low-value animals for slaughter.

Speaking following the International League for the Protection of Horses presentation at the House of Commons, Mr Gale said: “It appears that ministers are taking a sanguine view of European goodwill and relying upon that to protect our livestock from the often vilely inhumane traffic in live animals.

“It is generally believed by MPs that if our ministers were to take a robust line they would find that that the European Parliament and the Commission would recognise the strength of UK feeling over this issue, and for the need for an opt-out to protect our animals.

“Instead Government ministers appear to be taking the line of least resistance and if this attitude is allowed to prevail, then thousands of horses, donkeys and ponies may find themselves travelling for many hours in appalling conditions to the slaughterhouses of France, Italy and beyond."