Gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh has appealed for Europe to stop the long punishing journeys of horses for slaughter.

In a personal message through World Horse Welfare, the equine charity of which he is a supporter, Alan condemns the movement of horses through Europe to slaughterhouses and asks for the public to join World Horse Welfare’s Stamp Out Suffering appeal.

“It’s incredibly distressing to know that right now, in 2024, these beautiful and gentle animals are still enduring horrific and inhumane treatment,” he said in the message.

“I was heartened to hear that thanks to much pressure from you and your fellow supporters, the UK has now banned the live export of horses to slaughter.

“But sadly, it’s still perfectly legal for horses to be subjected to days-long journeys across Europe to slaughter — meaning many horses’ final days will be filled with terror and exhaustion,” continued Alan.

“And here in the UK, smugglers are already ignoring the laws — trafficking horses out of the UK in abhorrent conditions, to an unknown fate.”

Stamp Out Suffering

The World Horse Welfare’s Stamp Out Suffering appeal is a three-step plan aimed at ending the suffering of transported horses for good.

Step one is pushing for an end to cruelly long journeys to slaughter; step two is gathering evidence to help the authorities bring smugglers to justice; step three is rehabilitating and rehoming horses that have been rescued from appalling conditions.

In May, Your Horse reported how the UK had become the first European country to ban the live export of horses for slaughter.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024, which came into law on 20 May 2024, makes it an offence to export livestock and horses from or through Great Britain for slaughter and fattening.

Horses (and other animals) being exported for slaughter endure gruelling, long journeys in appalling conditions. They often travel for days and weeks in extreme temperatures in cramped facilities without access to food and water.

Europe is the largest exporter of live animals.

To find out more information about how you can support World Horse Welfare’s Stamp Out Suffering appeal, click here.

Main image of Alan Titchmarsh © Shutterstock

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