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		British horses under live export threat Tuesday, 30 March 2004 British horses and ponies are under threat following a vote in the European Parliament today, warn East Midlands Tory MEPs Chris Heaton-Harris and Roger Helmer. The export of live horses from Britain for slaughter abroad may be resumed unless the British Government fights for an opt-out to the proposals. For 70 years, the UK has prevented the live export of horses and ponies for slaughter but this is now threatened by European Commission proposals on animal transport. Conservative MEPs have ensured that the proposals include an option that allows Member States to opt-out of the export of live horses and ponies for slaughter. East Midlands Conservative MEPs Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton-Harris have been working with animal charities like the International League for the Protection of Horses campaigning on the issue in the European Parliament. Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg Euro-MP, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and very few people in the UK support this trade. It is important to keep up the pressure on our Government to maintain the ban on live horse exports. There is substantial evidence that low-value horses, ponies and donkeys which are transported for slaughter experience very considerable welfare problems during transport. Conservative MEP Roger Helmer, said: "Our laws must not be changed by those who do not share the seriousness with which we treat animal welfare in the UK. We must not see the resumption of the export of horses in squalid and appalling conditions for slaughter abroad. "We have put down the necessary provisions to stop this terrible trade - it is now up to the British Government to obtain this opt-out."