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Ferry firm drops livestock export plan from Portsmouth
Live animals won't be exported from Portsmouth port after a ferry firm dropped its plans to take up the practice.
Celtic Link Ferries wanted to ship livestock through the port for slaughter abroad.
The plans sparked protests from animal rights groups who claimed it was inhumane, as reported in The News.
Now, after weeks of wrangling, the firm has been persuaded to drop the plans.
Councillor Mike Hancock, who is in charge of planning, regeneration and economic development which covers the port, said: 'It is very good that they have decided this.
'I have been against this practice for 30 years and I am pleased they have come to this decision.'
The port, which is owned by Portsmouth City Council, has a policy in place which disagrees with live animal exports.
However the law states it has no power to prevent it if any firm wants to take up the practice.
Instead, port managers threatened to impose heavy premiums on Celtic Link of up to 5,000 per truckload of live animals, The News understands.
The firm was also told it would have to cover the costs of security and policing protests which were expected if the practice went ahead.
Cllr Hancock added: 'It was the only effective way we could stop it.'
No-one from Celtic was available to comment, but a letter from senior director Denis O'Flaherty to Cllr Hancock said: 'It has been decided that there will be no shipping of livestock for slaughter on the service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg.'
It is thought the ferry company decided it was not in their best interest to push ahead with the plans.
The news has been welcomed by animal rights campaigners.
Eloise Shavelar, campaigns co-ordinator for Compassion in World Farming, said: 'Compassion condemns the cruel trade involving hundreds of thousands of calves, sheep and other animals being transported long distances across Europe each year.
'We congratulate Celtic Link in their decision to respect public opinion.' We thank our supporters and local groups for their commitment and determination to end the unnecessary suffering of live animals during export.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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