December 1994 and January 1995 saw a significant increase in demonstrations against the live export of sheep and calves at several ports and airfields all over the UK. These demonstrations followed the decision by some of the larger ferry companies to ‘ban’ the carrying of sheep and calves; a decision which has since been deemed illegal and reversed by the High Court. Nevertheless, the welfare of these animals is now firmly in the public eye and there is great pressure on the livestock industry to reduce the number of animals exported live to mainland Europe for ‘immediate’ slaughter or further fattening and slaughter.