An on-line petition has been launched calling for a ban on live animal export for slaughter from the Isle of Man. The petition follows weeks of behind-the-scenes campaigning by concerned members of the public to stop this inhumane and wholly unnecessary practice. The petition can be found at: http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/ban-live-animal-export-for-slaughter-from-isle-of-man/3391 and on Facebook: Ban live animal export for slaughter from Isle of Man Statistics show a particularly sharp increase in the number of exported sheep and lambs, but other livestock export has increased too. Exported sheep older than 1-year are up from 3,542 in 2006 to 5,536 in 2010. Export of lambs of 6-12 months is up from zero in 2006 to 3,871 2010. (1) While it’s impossible to tell for certain (and figures from DEFA have not been forthcoming) how many of these animals are exported for slaughter and how many for further fattening, it is likely that the vast majority are headed for slaughter in the UK’s Dunbia abattoir for sale across the EU. Anecdotal evidence from farmers, who wish not to be named for fear of reprisals, suggests the vast majority of export is for slaughter. Campaigner, Alison Corlett, said, ‘The export of live animals for slaughter is inhumane and wholly unacceptable when we have a modern and efficient abattoir on the Isle of Man. If we are unable to rear farm animals and kill them in the most humane manner we should not be doing it at all.’ The increase in export for slaughter has followed recent changes to farm subsidies. But the practice is profit-motivated and risks damaging the Isle of Man’s farming industry for other farmers. By sending animals off-Island for slaughter, and thus by-passing the Isle of Man Meat, farmers reduce on-Island economies of scale and risk putting additional costs onto others in the farming industry. While Isle of Man Meat is obliged by law to kill all animals presented at the abattoir, regardless of condition or quality, farmers do not share an obligation to Isle of Man Meat. This creates inefficiencies and economic unfairness in the system. While live export for sale and further fattening is accepted practice, live export for slaughter is considered inhumane by many individuals and campaign groups such as Compassion In World farming. It is understood that exporting farmers complain killing charges are too high on the Isle of Man, but slaughter rates are set at an average of UK slaughter prices. Charges here also include costs of transportation and report-back administration, which UK prices do not. Though animals exported from the Isle of Man are checked by a vet before leaving the farm, there are, reportedly, no further checks on reaching the UK. Live animals are normally loaded by Steam Packet at 6pm to leave on the 7.45pm boat. Lambs in particular are usually destined for the Dunbia abattoir, which they reach at around half past midnight. However, animals are not off-loaded and checked until about 6am the following morning. Concerned farmers have also made campaigners aware of the death of at least one cow in transit, because cattle were packed in too tightly. There is further anecdotal evidence from farmers that some cattle are exported as far as Italy (a two-day journey) before they are slaughtered. Ms Corlett said, ‘When farm animals are slaughtered by Isle of Man Meat they have a journey of no longer than an hour, and only three changes of environment: loading, travelling and unloading. Changes of environment are as frightening as the transportation itself. When they travel by Steam Packet to UK abattoirs live animals have around ten different scary environments to contend with. It cannot be right that we export animals live, when we could provide a much more humane end to their lives at home on the Isle of Man.’ END