Meridian Port of Ramsgate

Thanet District Council has been forced to pay £2.3m in compensation to companies who were blocked from exporting live animals from the Port of Ramsgate.

Exports were banned after 40 sheep died at the port in 2012 but an appeal forced the local authority to reverse the decision.

A high court ruled the council didn't have the power to stop exports, and that it should reimburse the companies for any income lost during the six-week ban.

Members of the European Parliament are to vote on issues surrounding the live export of animals this afternoon.

Among the issues are ideas for improving the welfare of animals when they are being transported long-distance for slaughter, including: an eight-hour limit on journey times; more on-the-spot inspections; and tougher punishment for those who break the current EU rules.

One of the South East's MEPs - Keith Taylor, from the Green Party has been monitoring the situation at the Port of Ramsgate in Kent, which resumed live animal exports earlier this year.

An emergency High Court order has lifted a freeze on the movement of livestock through the Port of Ramsgate. The move allows for 45,000 lambs to be shipped to France.