HORSE lovers in Worcestershire are being asked to lobby their MEP in the latest bid to prevent agonising journeys to slaughter on the continent.

Leading equine charity World Horse Welfare is urging people to put pressure on their MEPs by e-mail or post as they have the power to influence and put pressure on the European commission at this crucial stage.

“Our campaign to end the longdistance transportation of horses across Europe to slaughter has moved into a new phase and we need the public to get involved,”

said press officer Louise Chapman.

“We have presented the EU with the second edition of our dossier of evidence which summarises the key evidence underpinning our case for a finite maximum journey limit.

“The commission has now released its own report on the transport regulation but we are dismayed that no commitment has been made to introduce a maximum journey limit.

“We are urging members of the public to e-mail EU commissioner John Dalli and ask him to take action to reduce journey times and improve welfare conditions for horses intended for slaughter.”

She said that the charity was also asking members across Europe to contact their minister for agriculture to protest about the journeys. Scientists have already added their support by making recommendations for improvements to current EU welfare legislation for horses and other animals during transport.

Jo White, director of campaigns at World Horse Welfare, said the recommendations for a 12-hour journey limit for horses destined for slaughter was welcome.

“We are delighted that the scientists have supported our recommendations which will bring an end to stress exhaustion and suffering the charity sees during investigations along Europe’s slaughter routes,” she said.

“We are also pleased to see other recommendations put forward by the charity – such as an unrestricted supply of clean water during the journey and ensuring all horses are transported in individual partitions – have also been recommended by the experts.”

The majority of MEPs across the European Union in all 27 countries have supported Written Declaration 54/2009, calling for a review of the current legislation affecting horses transported across Europe for slaughter.

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “We must ensure that pressure is maintained on decision makers to end these cruel and inhumane journeys.” To join the campaign, visit worldhorsewelfare.org/helptomorrow/ transport.action or call 01953 497262.