LIVE HORSE EXPORT TRADE — [To the Editor of the
SPF.eTATon.] SIR,—I agree with Mrs. Matthew's condemnation of the cruel export of horses for butchery, but I cannot agree with
her that it "goes on steadily without let or hindrance."
The " tightened-up " inspection forced by the campaign of 1920-21 has enormously reduced the number of horses exported alive, and thousands of the most miserable are now killed on this side, and exported as carcases.
All the same a considerable number of horses are still exported, each week, for butchery. And the conditions to which they are exported are so cruel, that this traffic is still a disgrace to England. And nothing but adequate legislation can stop that traffic.
• If Mrs. Matthew thinks that a Bill, putting a tax of. Ac•
on every exported horse, would be passed' by Parliainent, the best thing she can do is to get it introduced. I am convinced that it would not stand a chance, because it would firiveput of England the important remount traffic. Our
age and value limits have avoided interference with that traffic, and risk of encouraging cruel faking of teeth has been carefully considered. Only we who, have drafted that Bill—with very expert 'advice, and all my intimate experience of the- traffie—know the extreme difficulty of drafting what
will stop the export for butchery, without interference with -legitimate traffic.
If Mrs. Matthew will examine the first Bill introduced by Mr. Ammon, last year, she will see that the age limit in that Bill was seven years, and• that horses and donkeys were distinctly differentiated. There was a mistake in the first Bill, and it was withdrawn, immediately, at my request. A few days later it was reintroduced as " No. 2 Bill." I am convinced that this Bill would stop the export of horses for butchery,
and that it is a reasonable Bill, not interfering with legitimate traffic.
Therefore I beg the public to urge their M.P.'s to support that Bill, and to call on the Government to grant facilities for its passage through Parliament.—I arn, Sir, &c.,
11 Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C. 2. A. M. F. COLE.
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