Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed planned legislation to permanently ban the export of farm livestock for slaughter and fattening.

The government’s previous attempt to impose a ban as part of wider animal welfare reforms was scrapped earlier this year, but the new law, announced in the King's Speech on Tuesday, will be more tightly focused on exports.

If the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passes, it will prevent cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses being sent to the continent for slaughter from England.

Live exports will still be permitted in some circumstances, including racehorses being allowed to move for breeding and races.

Although no animals have been exported for slaughter since the government announced its intention to ban the practice in 2021, the legislation will ensure this on a permanent basis.

The RSPCA has campaigned for more than 50 years to outlaw long and gruelling overseas journeys for animals, which it says can cause "suffering, exhaustion and even death".

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: "This is a historic day for animal welfare.

"After half a century of campaigning to see an end of live exports, we’re incredibly pleased that the UK government has prioritised this - albeit as the only animal welfare issue taken forward in their programme.

"Despite the strength of public feeling, the UK government has been dragging its feet on bringing in a ban which is why having the importance of this issue recognised in the King’s Speech is such a significant moment."

The proposed bill also includes promises of money for farmers to improve animal welfare conditions and a £4m fund for smaller abattoirs.

Farming leaders in East Anglia welcomed efforts to improve animal welfare, but warned that UK livestock producers must not be "undercut" by imports from countries with less stringent rules.

Charles Hesketh, east regional policy manager for the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said: "It’s clear that the government has ambitions to be a global leader in animal welfare, an objective we support.

"It’s important, however, that when government is pursuing trade negotiations with countries that export large numbers of animals for fattening and slaughter, we ensure British livestock farmers are not undercut in trade deals by imports that do not meet the same high standards adhered to here."