This week marks the anniversary of the Cattle Act 1822 - the very first animal welfare law to protect farm animals  - which was passed 202 years ago thanks to the pioneering efforts of founding RSPCA member Richard Martin MP. 

The Cattle Act was aimed to prevent cruelty to cattle and horses in England and was the first legislation in the world to specifically protect animals. Crucially, the legislation made it an offence to “beat, abuse, or ill-treat any horse, mare, gelding, mule, ass, cattle, sheep, or other livestock”. It faced opposition from the public, but it marked a significant step forward in recognising legal protection for animals. 

Emma Slawinski, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the RSPCA, told us: “Farmed animal welfare has been an integral part of our rich history over the last 200 years. It’s inspiring to think about all the changes we have seen for farm animals over the years, from the first ever animal welfare law to protect cattle from cruelty; right up until this year when live exports were finally banned in Great Britain after 100 years of campaigning.

“This truly is a full circle moment for the RSPCA as we celebrate 202 years since the passing of the trailblazing Cattle Act which the RSPCA was first set-up to enforce. This law highlights how farmed animal welfare has been the building blocks of the charity’s foundation since its inception.”

Banning live exports

Over the two centuries since the The Cruel Treatment Cattle Act was made law, the RSPCA has campaigned hard to ensure a better deal for farm animals in law. Today, the RSPCA is marking another milestone moment for farmed animals with the banning of live exports, which became law in May this year and is due to come into force soon. 

The RSPCA released a moving video to celebrate the ban on live exports. This includes interviews from current and former RSPCA inspectors who have witnessed livestock being transported in lorries and ferries to undergo gruelling journeys - some lasting up to 100 hours in cramped and poor conditions - as they were transported abroad. Figures from Defra show up to 40 million farmed animals*, including sheep, calves and pigs, have been exported from Britain for further rearing or slaughter since the 1960s. This equates to an astonishing 13,888 a week or 82 animals every hour. 

Kevin Degenhard, former RSPCA Inspector and Special Operations Unit (SOU) officer, told us: “I spent a lot of time at the ports witnessing the conditions the animals were kept in and as an RSPCA officer it was extremely concerning to see. At that time, it was illegal to transport animals without food and water for more than 12 hours and suddenly they were often going for well over 30 hours across the Channel and beyond - often without food or water being provided. 

“One of the heartbreaking images that really sticks with me is seeing the tongues of the calves poking out of the ventilation slats desperately trying to get some moisture from the outside of the lorry if it was raining. You’ve also got to remember that the calves were only six or seven days old and used to being fed every few hours on a bottle and now had been loaded into packed lorries for these long, arduous journeys. 

“I’m so pleased it’s over. It’s a real relief. And I’m so grateful to all of the campaigners, who went down to the docks and demonstrated and reported back to tell us what was really going on when we couldn’t be there.”

The video documents a landmark celebration event on 15 May 2024, which saw the RSPCA, Compassion In World Farming and Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE) project a thank you message to all those who helped make the live exports ban happen on the White Cliffs of Dover - one of the ports from which live animals have historically been shipped. 

RSPCA Assured works hard to protect farmed animals from gruelling transport

Live exports are not permitted on the RSPCA Assured scheme and we strongly supported the RSPCA and others in their campaign to end live exports. 

The RSPCA welfare standards also have strict regulations around the maximum time and distance an animal can be transported, specifying that journey times for animals must not exceed eight hours. In fact, for some species, RSPCA welfare standards maximum journey times can be much lower.

We’re doing our bit to improve farmed animal welfare, but we need your help to do more. By eating less animal produce and only opting for higher welfare options when you do choose animal products, you can help us continue our mission to ensure all animals are reared to higher welfare standards. Take action by lobbying your supermarket to only sell higher welfare produce here.