A bill will be presented to ban the live export of animals for slaughter.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers will present the bill to Parliament to see the ban of exporting live animals for slaughter, due to animals suffering exhaustion and dehydration while in transit.

Currently this practice is regulated by EU rules but Ms Villiers is concerned enforcement can be "patchy" after the animals leave the UK, and is seeking to ban it entirely once the UK leaves the European Union.

Following Wednesday's announcement of the bill Ms Villiers joined campaigners from Compassion in World Farming at a rally in Parliament Square, on the international day of awareness on the issue when demonstrations take place around the world.

She said: "Excessive long distance transport of live animals for slaughter can cause great suffering. Successive governments have been powerless to act because EU rules prevented them from imposing a ban.

"Whilst this procedure generally doesn’t lead directly to a new law getting on to the statute book, I will be working to persuade as many MPs as possible to support it.

"I hope that this will also be a means to set out the strong case for a ban and persuade the Government to include one in future legislation."

Animal welfare charity RSPCA has also welcomed the bill, hoping that Brexit will give MPs and the government the opportunity to choose whether to allow the live exporting of animals into British law.

David Bowles, head of the RSPCA’s public affairs, said: "We know that port owners and their constituents do not want the trade, but they are forced to allow it under EU and current British rules.

"The government has repeatedly said they want the best animal welfare standards and the EU has stood in their way - now is their biggest opportunity to choose welfare over trade."

The RSCPA's campaign on this issue has brought the numbers down from almost two million 20 years ago, to tens of thousands being exported now, which they believe is "hugely successful."

Mr Bowles also pointed out that for some animals, when they arrive at the end of their journey they may be kept and slaughtered in conditions that are illegal in the UK.

He added: "Now is the chance to end it for good.

"When we leave the European Union there could be an opportunity for ministers to put stronger journey time limits than currently exist and also to amend a Victorian piece of legislation to give port owners in England the right to refuse live exports if they wish."

The Live Animal Exports (Prohibition) Bill will be published shortly and then presented to Parliament on October 25, allowing one exemption in local transport from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland, so long there is no onward transfer to a third country.