UK to become first country in Europe to ban live animal exports

Environment secretary hails Brexit success' for animal welfare, but poultry to be excluded and Northern Ireland exempted

Plans to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening are to be unveiled by the UK's environment secretary, George Eustice, on Thursday.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the plans were part of a renewed push to strengthen Britain's position as a world leader on animal welfare.