Injunction forces council to re-open port to live animal exports

Thanet District Council has been ordered to re-open the Port of Ramsgate to live animal exports after the High Court granted an injunction over the authority's decision to ban the practice.

The interim injunction will remain in place until a full judicial review is held.

The application for judicial review of Thanet’s decision was brought by three Dutch-based businesses.

The claimants are seeking to overturn the decision of the council to temporarily suspend the movement of live animals at the port.

They are also calling for a mandatory order requiring Thanet to lift its ban on the shipment of exports, as well as seeking damages for an alleged breach of European law.

Thanet said it planned to mount a vigorous defence of its decision, which followed an incident on 12 September when dozens of sheep died.

Cllr Clive Hart, Leader of the council, said the incident was “a very clear and practical indication to the council that the Port of Ramsgate is not an appropriate place to carry out the export of live animals”.

He added: “This is something we had been explaining to government agencies consistently for many months previously.

“The council is very clear in our view of this trade. However, if despite our strongest possible efforts to ensure the welfare of animals moving through the Port of Ramsgate, the High Court still determines that the port must re-open to this trade, then our hands are absolutely tied.”

Cllr Hart added: “We now need to meet with our lawyers to plan how best to progress our case.”