Those exporting animals abroad will need a license

Government introduces tough animal transport rules

The rules, which come into effect on 1 July, set out maximum journey and rest times for animals. Transporters wishing to take cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses on journeys longer than eight hours and for all journeys abroad will now need special authorisation.

The rules implement an EU directive agreed in 1995. The Agriculture Minister, Jack Cunningham, said that internal divisions over Europe within the Conservative Party were to blame for the failure to bring in the rules six months ago - the deadline set by the EU.

Dr Cunningham said: "We will expect rigorous adherence to these new proposals and we will not hesitate to enforce animal welfare policies."

He added that the government preferred what he called "export on the hook, not on the hoof". He argued that the market was in any case heading in this direction, with £320 million worth of meat due to be exported this year, compared with £23 million worth of live animals.

The new rules received a guarded welcome from animal welfare groups. Peter Stevenson, of Compassion in World Farming, was pleased that exporters would now have to be licensed. However, he added: "British lambs and sheep will still be sent to the Continent on appallingly long journeys in overstocked trucks." And Dr Martin Potter, of the RSPCA, argued that enforcement was the key issue, because such rules were "routinely flouted" once exporters were on the continent.