AN MP is confident a law that prevents New Forest ponies ending up on dinner plates across Europe will not be scrapped.

Desmond Swayne, pictured right, who represents New Forest West, is backing animal welfare activists in their battle to retain a restriction that prevents the live export of horses worth less than £500.

The European Parliament has ruled that Britain could keep its ban on the live export of horses, despite it being lifted elsewhere in Europe.

MPs later warned that the battle was not yet won, with Mr Swayne claiming that the UK government might lift the ban after all. But Mr Swayne says he now believes the strength of public feeling will force Whitehall to keep the restriction.

He said: "The conditions are pretty grim and the standard of slaughter overseas is nothing like it is in this country. If the ban is not upheld, we are in danger of adding another category of animal to this dismal trade. Most British people view the slaughter and consumption of horses as a moral issue, and regard them in the same way as they do cats and dogs.

"I have started to scent victory on this battle. I'm pretty sure the government will not be able to say Europe has forced their hand on this."

The issue is due to be debated by the European Council of Agricultural Ministers later this month.

Last month Compassion in World Farming warned that up to 2,000 New Forest ponies a year could be exported for slaughter if the ban was lifted.

But the figure was dismissed by Commoners, who said only a tiny number of ponies would be affected by any change in the law.