Horse and Pony Protection Association

Stop the live export of horses

What is Minimum Values?

The Horses and Ponies Protection Association was formed in 1937 with the specific aim of banning the export of live UK equines for slaughter to continental abattoirs. Our Founder, Miss Mona Huskie was attacked and abused by the slaughter men in the French abattoirs but she stuck to her task and as a result the principles of Minimum Values legislation within the Exportation of the Horses Act, was adopted by Parliament in 1937. Since this date Minimum values have protected British equines from being exported alive to the continent.

How?

"Minimum Values" legislation effectively prevents low value horses, ponies and donkeys from suffering the pain and distress of a long journey to slaughterhouses in mainland Europe. The minimum value is set just above the meat value of equines of various heights. If their value is below that figure it is presumed that the equines are going for slaughter and will not be granted an export licence.

The consequences of losing this legislation?

As Britain is a member of the European Union, therefore is unable to enforce legislation which is covered by an existing European law. Under the 1991 Animal Transportation Directive, Britain was allowed to uphold it's own existing legislation along with other Member States, in the form of a derogation. Unfortunately, when this Directive was updated in 1995 this provision was removed, and this has endangered "Minimum Values" within the EU.

However, this legislation is still British law, and Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) have continued to enforce "Minimum Values" legislation, and have consequently protected thousands of equines from an uncertain fate.

The frailness of this legislation was publicly highlighted with the publication of the EU draft Regulation on the Protection of Animals During Transport, The European Commission state that this legislation will serve to improve animal welfare during transport by introducing better welfare standards enforced uniformly across all Member States. However, this Regulation would also mean that Member States will not be entitled to retain their own independent laws, unless that Country can satisfy Europe that they have particular moral grounds for this. As a result both Defra and the European Commission have stated that - unless it is amended - the European law will force the UK to drop its ban and will see horses and ponies from the New Forest and Dartmoor being exported to the continent where they will be slaughtered for meat.

Horses are poor travellers and will suffer immensely if they are sent on long journeys to foreign abattoirs. There is already a huge trade in horses being sent from Eastern Europe to Italy for slaughter and they have been seen to suffer intensely on these journeys. Herded into overcrowded trucks with inadequate ventilation, deprived of food, water and rest. Those who survive the journey become increasingly exhausted and dehydrated, particularly in the blistering heat of summer

HAPPA faces reality and acknowledges the fact that some of our surplus equines are destined for the 'dinner plate', but are totally against the raising of equines purely for slaughter and would condemn that practice. However, we would prefer our surplus & unwanted stock to be humanly dispatched in a properly run abattoir here in the UK.

If, this is not possible, we propose, and will fight for, conditions for transport such as all equines travelling within the EU for whatever purpose should be transported in single standings, with the exception of mares with foals at foot. This would prevent the injuries that are at present being caused to equines destined for the EU slaughter houses.

"The fact that animals are to be dispatched at the end of their journey should not mean that they lose the protection they previously enjoyed."

The UK must present a convincing argument why "Minimum Values" should be retained, or we will loose the protection offered to UK horses and ponies by this legislation. We must act now to put pressure on the Government to fight for and win a degrogation in Brussels to keep Minimum Values in place and secure the UK's ban on the export of horses, ponies and donkeys for slaughter abroad.

Please help us to maintain Minimum Values for our equines by printing off the letter of concern below and sending it to your local MEP. A list of MEP's names and their corresponding regions is available in the document below for your convenience. Contact details for all MEP's can be obtained from the UK office of the European Parliament, Tel.: 0207 2274300 or at www.europarl.org.uk

Click for MS Word version of letter

Click for MS Word list of MEP's

Call 01282 455992 for a petition.