A Bill to amend section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 to allow local authorities to proscribe, in certain circumstances, the transport of live animals for slaughter abroad via facilities that local authorities control and operate; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
16 May 2016
This Bill would update a long-standing law to allow local authorities to ban or restrict the transport of live animals intended for slaughter abroad if the transport uses facilities they own or run, such as harbours, docks and piers. It gives councils greater local control over cross-border animal shipments that pass through facilities they manage, with the aim of improving animal welfare. The measure is framed as enabling, with details to be set out in the Bill’s provisions.
The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to the Committee stage, then to the Lords for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 10 May 2016 under the Ten Minute Rule. This allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. An opposing speech may also be made before the House decides whether or not the bill should be introduced. If the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
