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The new plans will ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening.
A government consultation aimed at ending the practice in England and Wales was launched, which officials said could not be stopped as long as the UK was part of the EU.
They also aim to reduce maximum travel times, give animals more space and headroom during transport, and stricter regulations on transporting livestock in extreme temperatures and by sea.
Around 6,400 live animals were exported for slaughter in 2018
Around 6,400 animals were transported for slaughter in 2018, authorities said, just a small fraction of the millions of UK beasts that are killed for human consumption each year.
Ministers are eager to fulfill a promise that Brexi it would allow the UK to avoid unnecessary suffering to animals during transport on excessively long journeys.
The eight-week consultation, launched on Wednesday, marks “a major step forward in fulfilling our stated commitment to end live exports for slaughter,” said Environment Secretary George Eustice.
“Now that we have left the EU, we have the opportunity to put an end to this unnecessary practice. We want to ensure that the animals are not stressed before slaughter,” he added.
Chris Sherwood, Executive Director of the RSPCA, said: “There is absolutely no reasonable justification for putting an animal on an unnecessarily stressful trip abroad simply to fatten it up for slaughter.
“Ending exports of live animals for slaughter and additional fattening would be a landmark achievement for animal welfare.”
Peter Stevenson, Senior Policy Advisor at Compassion in World Farming, said the “unequivocal proposal” was very welcome.
“We urge farmers not to oppose the proposed ban, but to recognize that this is an important part of moving toward a high-welfare future.”
Lindsay Duncan, Agricultural Campaigns Manager for World Animal Protection, said: “Exports of live animals are cruel and unnecessary.
“Rather than subjecting animals to suffering on long and harrowing journeys in crowded conditions, we believe that exports of live animals and indeed any import of live animals should end.
“This historic movement for animal welfare will prevent suffering on a huge scale.”
MPs have warned of a “risk of serious disruptions and delays” in Canal crossings when the Brexit transition period expires at the end of the month.
The UK and the EU have yet to agree on their future trade relationship and further talks are planned this week.
