The long-distance transportation of animals for slaughter could be banned after Brexit, under new Conservative Party proposals.

The trade in live sheep and calves to Europe and beyond has been the subject of angry protests for decades, with campaigners insisting it is so cruel it should be replaced by a trade in meat.

The Conservatives will consult on recommendations that farm animals should be sent to the closest available abattoir, which could effectively ban many live exports. Boris Johnson has spoken out in the past in favour of a ban.

Until now, successive governments have always insisted live exports cannot be curbed because of EU single market rules on the freedom of movement of goods.

Opponents – including regular protesters at the port of Ramsgate who witness the lorries being driven onto ferries – say animals suffer overcrowding resulting in injuries, exhaustion and dehydration caused by a lack of water and food, and extremes of temperature.

How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Show all 16 1 /16 How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 A crowded transport truck Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 A thirsty pig on transport truck is given water by a Melbourne Pig Save activist Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada Pigs being transported to slaughter in freezing weather Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada A volunteer gives water to thirsty pigs Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada Pigs en route to an abattoir How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Canada A cow looks out of transport truck just outside the slaughterhouse gates Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain Stacked crates of rabbits awaiting slaughter Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Australia A pig finds some air at a sale yard Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Toronto, Canada Pigs in a transport lorry en route to an abattoir Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 A pig in a transport truck touches noses with a man Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Melbourne, Australia, 2017 Chickens in transport crates Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain, 2014 A rabbit's nose and feet poke out from between plastic crates Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain A rabbit looks out between plastic crate slats Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Nepal, 2017 A chicken looks out through fencing on a crowded transport truck Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Spain Broiler chickens are captured and loaded into transport crates for slaughter Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality How they reach your plate: live animal transport worldwide Israel, 2018 A ship carrying up to 30,000 sheep and cattle from Australia to Israel arrives at port after almost three weeks at sea Jo-Anne McArthur / Israel Against Live Shipments

Many do not survive the long journeys to abattoirs in Europe and beyond.

In 2011, 43 sheep found in a lorry at Ramsgate had to be destroyed. One had a broken leg, another was ill and the other 41 were severely lame; none of the animals had been reach their drinking bottles in the vehicle, the RSPCA claimed at the time.

The following year, a loading area floor collapsed while sheep were being taken off a lorry at the port. Six fell in the water of which two drowned.

Ian Birchall, chairman of Kent Action Against Live Exports, said the proposed ban was “wonderful” news that would spare many animals from suffering, but that it would be impossible if the UK did not quit the EU.

“British farmers won’t lose a penny – it will create jobs for slaughtermen and butchers,” he said. “And the council won’t have to pay for policing at Ramsgate. It’s a win-win.”

Under a raft of measures to improve animal welfare, the Tories are also considering a ban on all imports of the spoils of trophy hunting, under plans to be debated at the party conference starting in Manchester on Sunday – a move that wildlife campaigners have strongly lobbied for.

Eduardo Goncalves, head of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, welcomed the move, saying Britain, currently one of the countries that imports most wildlife trophies, should lead the world in helping to end trophy-hunting globally.

“The public are more concerned than ever before about this as a lot has come to light about British big game-hunters and companies organising hunt safaris,” he said. “We know from the Cites Britain is one of the worst countries for this, and it’s a stain on our national reputation. We hope it leads to a swift, comprehensive and properly enforced ban.”

Theresa Villiers, the environment secretary, said: “We have a long tradition of protecting animals in this country, often many years before others follow. Leaving the EU allows us to take even bigger steps forward on this. The measures we are announcing today will protect our animals in our homes, in agriculture, and in the wild. I have campaigned for an end to live exports and what has been announced today will choke off this trade.”

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Labour has already pledged to end live exports for slaughter.

Michael Gove, when environment secretary, mooted a ban but it was feared he was backtracking under pressure from the Scottish government.