Move comes after recent suspension at Ramsgate. 

A cargo of live sheep left Ipswich port on Friday night  following the recent suspension of live exports from Ramsgate, according to the RSPCA, which revealed that the ferry left Ipswich on Friday and arrived in Calais on Saturday.

The RSPCA has criticised the move to transfer live exports from Ramsgate to Ipswich while the former is suspended due to serious breaches of animal welfare, which it said amounted to "sneaking the vile trade back in through the back door."

Chief Executive for the welfare charity, Gavin Grant, warned port officials that they had a "duty of care" to the animals that were converging on the port.

Ipswich Borough Council does not have any statutory duties or powers affecting the live export of animals, and said it does not own the port. Inspections are carried out by Defra.

A Defra spokesperson said: "We take animal welfare very seriously and ideally would rather see livestock slaughtered as close as possible to where they are farmed. However, when animals are transported there are stringent rules including on fitness to travel, space allowances, ventilation and access to water and feed. These are strictly monitored and we will take swift action if they are not followed."