When the Live Animal Exports re-started in May 2011 at Ramsgate Port, we were in opposition at Thanet District Council and we expressed our repulsion of the trade by putting a motion to Council to seek all legal avenues in order to stop it.
This motion was agreed unanimously. This was our first victory.
When Labour became the ruling administration of TDC we vowed we would continue the fight against the trade, using the legal framework and showing a zero tolerance of any infringement of the welfare of animals.
Our rigorous action and determination meant that the lorries were inspected very thoroughly, as they should. It then became apparent that on several occasions the lorries or the animals were unfit for further travel.
This led to our decision as TDC Cabinet to suspend the trade in live animal exports out of Ramsgate Port on the ground that it does not have adequate facilities to care for the animals and that there is no control post nearby to take them.
The UK Government, as the Competent Authority under the EU Regulation 2005/1, is responsible for setting up such a control post but, so far, they have not complied with this requirement, in spite of a promise they made in July 2011.
The suspension of this awful trade by the Labour administration of TDC shows that we take our responsibility seriously and that we are not afraid of taking the necessary actions, using the legal framework to pursue our aims.
We stood for election on our Manifesto which stated that we would defend the rights of animals. We fought for this to happen when we were in Opposition and we are delivering now that we are the ruling administration.
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office, 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2RW.
Well said, Peter. How typically Labour to turn an issue on which all parties have concerns into a political one. True, Labour were not in power in Thanet when the live exports started, but advice at that time was, and remains, that the government, let alone TDC, have no power to stop this trade. Even now, following a bad incident, TDC's action is contestable in law and may yet be overturned.
ReplyDeleteThis campaign has to be taken to the EU if a lasting ban on live animal exports is to stand or, perhaps the better solution, the UK leaves the EU and we make our own laws again.
All very interesting, but because this trade is currently permitted under EU regulations it may yet turn out that TDC is compelled to provide adequate sheltering accommodation for animals in transit, with on site vetinary cover, all at Thanet council tax payers expense. I agree here with Ren Wood that, instead of political drum banging, they would be better off taking up this issue with Brussels and seeking to have such trade legally banned.
ReplyDeleteI am very grateful to Thanet Labour Group for having the courage to introduce the suspension of live Exports but I would like to point out that this victory was a result of cross-party action. Laura Sandys has worked incredibly hard on this. So has Catherine Bearder (Lib-Dem MEP)and Keith Taylor (Green Party MEP). it should be also be pointed out that the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming have played a major role in fighting for the ban in Ramsgate.
ReplyDeleteBut most importantly the suspension of this babrbaric trade was due to the hundreds of ordainary men and women and young people from Thanet who tirelessly demonstrated at the port in all weathers in the small hours, wrote letters of protest to politicans and civil servants, signed petitions, lobbied meetings,donated money and were forced to listen my long boring speeches at demonstarions and public meetings.
Without the tireless work of these people the politicians, civil servants and decison makers would not have lifted a finger to stop the trade at Ramsgate. It sounds cliched but the protest against live exports at Ramsgate was a claasic example of people power! We need much more of this and this is why I am an independet councillor.
Ian Driver
For once I applaud Ian Driver for attributing credit where it is due rather than the political crowing coming from Thanet Labour. This was a good team effort, but it will all amount to nothing unless the pressure is maintained on Brusssels to permanently ban such live animal exports.
DeleteAre you surprised, Peter, for it is a self proclaiming propaganda site.
DeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteHow do you know Steve Ladyman wouldn't have made the same effort? It wasn't an issue during the time he was an MP so you're merely speculating. Don't forget it was Labour when Ian Driver was a Labour councillor and Michelle Fenner who is now in the cabinet who started this particular ball rolling.The Tories said there was nothing that could be done although they did support Labour's attempts at full council to highlight the issue.
Agree with Peter about Ladyman. Had quite a serious problem I had to seek his help on. He responded he could not help, but sent me a booklet on how many things Labour had done well. Approached a relative's MP through their address and he sorted the matter out for me.
ReplyDeleteLadyman was too busy aspiring to ministerial roll to have much time for South Thanet and arrogant enough to think he would be perpetually re-elected by the party faithful regardless of local performance. So much for Ladyman's Thanet when one saw how quickly he took the gap when he lost an election.
Minor point but MPs aren't supposed to cross the boundaries of their constituency but to refer anyone seeking help to their own MP so the CAB should have told Peter to go to his MP who is, I think, Roger Gale anyway.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, 08:23, which is why I went via a relative's address to get to someone more willing to help than Ladyman. Our new MP in South Thanet at least does try. Unable to comment on Peter's experience with CAB though no reason to doubt it.
ReplyDelete