International equine charity World Horse Welfare is calling on members of the public to contact their MP and ask them to show their support for laws that will disrupt horse smuggling.
World Horse Welfare is hosting an event in UK Parliament on Wednesday 2 April where it will ask the UK Government to take action to protect the thousands of horses that are being smuggled across UK and European borders each year.
The charity is asking the public to contact their MP to make them aware of the event and encourage them to attend. At the event MPs will find out what they can do to help tackle the illegal trade. To email your local MP, click here, enter your postcode and then submit the letter.
“Every year, thousands of horses, ponies and donkeys are subjected to long and gruelling journeys across the UK and Europe, forced to experience awful conditions, as they are smuggled towards an unknown fate,” said a spokesperson for World Horse Welfare.
“We need MPs to speak up and use their influence to ensure laws are put in place to protect these vulnerable animals from horse smugglers.”
In the news
Horse smuggling has been in the news recently due to two high profile cases – the Dover 26 and the Trafficked 20 – which saw groups of equines crammed onto horse transporters in horrific conditions being exported to Europe. Many of those found onboard did not have the necessary paperwork to travel and several were carrying infectious diseases.
World Horse Welfare is appealing for stronger legislation to disrupt horse smuggling as well as the creation of a centralised and fully digitalised ID and traceability system across the UK and EU states.
World Horse Welfare believes a lack of accountability is being exploited by smugglers when the UK is used as a land bridge for moving horses between Ireland and the EU.
