Stop horse cruelty

- resolution adopted by European Parliament

Liz Lynne MEP has welcomed news that her campaign to end the cruelty suffered by horses being transported long distance for slaughter has been adopted by the European Parliament at Strasbourg.

Her written declaration calling for action was signed by more than 369 Euro MPs from all over Europe, and a majority of MEPs, by the deadline on the morning of 11 February 2010, so it has now been adopted by Parliament.

The declaration, supported by World Horse Welfare, was launched before Christmas to highlight the scandalous suffering endured by many horses as they are moved in lorries and trailers.

Speaking at the Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday, Liz said: "This is very good news for everyone campaigning to stop animal cruelty in Europe. The European Parliament has agreed with a petition signed by 120,000 citizens to demand action to end this appalling and unnecessary suffering of horses.

"Euro MPs from all parties have looked at the evidence uncovered by charities that EU rules meant to protect the welfare of horses during long distance transport are being flouted, resulting in appalling cruelty.

“Now that so many MEPs have signed up, the issue must now go forward to be debated in the Parliament so action can be taken. I would like to thank all the campaigners from the charity World Horse Welfare for their hard work.”

Over 100,000 horses are transported long distance across the continent to slaughter every year, many of them in inhumane conditions, causing exhaustion, dehydration, injury and death.

The abuse has been uncovered by a number of charities including World Horse Welfare. Late last year Liz hosted a reception in the European Parliament at which the World Horse Welfare petition, signed by over 120,000 EU citizens, was handed over to the European Commission calling for action to correctly implement EU animal welfare rules in this area.

Among the abuses uncovered were examples of horses being denied rest stops, packed like sardines into steel lorries where temperatures can be above 40 degrees and not being properly fed and watered. Some of the horses suffer terrible injury or are dead on arrival at their destination.