PARLIAMENT in the UK recently enacted legislation that bans the export from Britain of animals, including horses, for the purpose of fattening or slaughter. It was heralded by animal welfare organisations as a victory for animals, and by Brexiteers as an example of what the UK might now do ONLY because of Brexit. As an EU member State, Ireland can’t follow suit - but what can we do to safeguard the welfare of horses destined for the meat market?

Our nearest neighbour’s new law applies to England, Scotland and Wales, not Northern Ireland and introduces a new (to this writer at least!) term – the ‘British Islands’. Not to be confused with the ‘British Isles’, the new term is not defined in the Act but meant, it seems, to refer essentially to GB and thus not to any part of Ireland.