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UK: Police to protect veal exporters

01 September 1995

The High Court ruled in July that although under domestic law the livestock exporters running the gauntlet of animal rights protesters, on manpower and financial grounds, such limitations were illegal under Community law as being a restriction on exports. Such a restriction was not justified on public policy grounds, as the Chief Constable had not attempted to get more financial resources to deal with the problem. In mid-January, the police cut the number of officers protecting veal exporters at Shoreham, Sussex from over 1100 to around 300, who were available only on weekdays. In April, cover was further restricted to two days a week, and the chief constable said that when cover could not be provided the police would turn back livestock-carrying vehicles if they feared a breach of the peace. The Chief Constable decided not to ask the Home Office for special funding, knowing what the likely answer would be. Although the court said that was a reasonable attitude, it was no defence under EU law. R v Chief Constable of Sussex ex p International Trader's Ferry Ltd, Independent 28.7.95.