Michael Gove is back pedalling on his promise to ban live exports - David Drew

David Drew MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, responding to comments on banning live exports by Michael Gove on the Today programme, said:

“Michael Gove is back pedalling on his promise to ban live exports.

“This is a Secretary of State who has ordered the culling of the highest number of badgers on record and is even rolling out the cull in areas defined as low risk.

“We are demanding that Michael Gove now clarifies the Government’s position on banning live exports, to end their unscientific and inhumane badger cull.’

Ends

Notes to editors

• ·       Asked about the banning of live exports on Radio 4's Today this morning, Michael Gove said: 

MG: "We are going to see restrictions and are consulting"

JW: "... You were minded to ban them but are not?"

MG: "I’m minded to restrict them and looking at evidence to see how we can make appropriate." 

• ·       Campaigners from charity Compassion in World Farming have raised concerns that the government may be backing away from a ban https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/live-animal-exports-post-brexit-michael-gove-slaughter-trade-ciwf-a8528951.html%3famp

• ·       The Environment Secretary launched a consultation into a ban in April https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/uk-ban-livestock-exports-slaughter-brexit-michael-gove