You know; fighting for the welfare of calves has always had a special ‘box’ within me.

In my 35+ years of live animal transport investigation work, the suffering of these babies on the road really used to get my goat more than just about anything.

“As British calves were being exported to the NL at the time; we took some time out of our schedule to ‘sniff around’ and find out a little more about places they were being sent to.

We shared many hours on the road; laughing, talking and generally trying to have a good time in work that we both knew the live animal export business caused immense suffering to – innocent, sentient beings.  Calves“.

England: Another Terrible Loss – John Callaghan. – World Animals Voice

With calves, you often hear them long before you actually see the truck – they are babies, and they bellow immensely for the milk produced from the mothers that they have been torn away from at what ?, often ages of just 1 day old.  Cow milk is for baby cows, NOT humans; yet the systems today try to make people think that humans are in need of cow milk, not the cow babies.

I took this picture above decades ago of British calves being exported to the veal systems of France and the Netherlands,  you can just make out the calves suckling the bars of the transporter; desperate for milk held within their mothers.  This is the reality of live animal transport; and just one reason of thousands why it needs to stop now.

In the past calves were held in individual ‘crates’ until they reached slaughter age of around 4 to 6 months.  During their short lives in the crates; they were deprived of any iron in their food; to make them anemic and thus make their flesh ‘white’ as required by the gastronauts of Europe.  What humans do to animals in the name of ‘food’ just really bums me off.

Anemia is defined as a low number of red blood cells. In a routine blood test, anemia is reported as a low hemoglobin or hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the main protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen, and delivers it throughout the body. If you have anemia, your hemoglobin level will be low too.

We fought hard for the calves – (above) here I am (with Barb, a hunt sab) at Dover port (where calves were exported from) after we had put the British Prime Minister (at the time John Major) into the crate to get a feel for what he was approving.  You can see the liberated calf standing alongside.

Here are some pictures of real calves suffering in the crate systems.  Every one a valid reason why I fight tooth and nail for the calves;

Above – an investigation showed British calves were being exported to Hungary and that they were still being crated individually years after the EU ban came into place !

Above – with our tour truck in Holland teaching the Dutch about live veal systems.

Above – great campaigning days in the Netherlands for the calves.

Here – photographs from a PMAF investigation which I used in the compilation of an EU Parliament investigations report on calves being transported to France.

Above – Dover demo with animal buddies fighting live calf exports.

Often it feels like you are running up that hill – but a positive end makes it all worth it:

Regards Mark

EFSA opinions on the welfare of calves

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published today their scientific opinion on calf welfare. The EFSA was mandated to describe the most used systems, their welfare consequences and measures to prevent and mitigate those consequences.

EFSA also looked at three specific issues: 

Welfare of calves reared for white veal (including requirements for space, group housing and iron intake), 

Risk of limited contact between mother and calf 

What type indicators can be measured in slaughterhouses to monitor the welfare on farm. 

A species-specific Directive already exists to protect calves in the EU (Council Directive 2008/11/EC), yet it is extremely outdated, and fails to take into account new science published since it was adopted in 2008. Proof of this is that EFSA identified several hazards connected to these systems ranging  from respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases to inability to perform natural behaviours or even calves experiencing group stress. 

They have advised several solutions that Eurogroup for Animals welcomes: 

Group housing from the first week of life (between 2 to 7 calves) and keeping them in stable groups.

Increased space allowance – 20 m² is recommended so calves can express their full behaviour and 3 m³ is the minimum recommended per calf (all in group housing)

In regards to feeding: Good colostrum intake, increased amount of milk provided, and good quality roughage availability from 2 weeks of age. 

Several welfare indicators can be collected in the slaughterhouse, but they should be complemented with behavioural ones collected on farm

Regrettably, although the available science already points towards a need for a longer period of cow-calf contact and bonding, EFSA took a conservative approach, only recommending a minimum 24 hours of cow-calf contact. We strongly oppose this conclusion. Cow and calf contact can reduce stress of both adult females and calves, it increases the vitality and resilience of the calves and leads to an increase in body weight gain of the calves. Furthermore, it provides a better social behaviour for the calves in the long run that is prolonged until adult age. It also leads to an increased expression of positive behaviours for both. Eurogroup for Animals recommends that contact between the calf and the mother should be allowed for at least the first eight weeks of age. During this period, calves and cows shall be kept in a half-day contact system – at least – with suckling permitted.   

Furthermore, Eurogroup for Animals would like to see a more science-driven, animal welfare approach when it comes to iron levels in the calves’ blood. For acceptable blood levels of iron, we recommend a blood haemoglobin concentration of at least 6,0 mmol/L throughout the life of the calf, as already required by the German Directive 2008/119 (EFSA is recommending 5.3 mmol/L).

The science demonstrates that business as usual for calves is not going to work anymore. We urge the Commission to listen to the science and seriously improve the species-specific legislation to protect calves in the EU and beyond.

Welfare of calves kept for white and rosé veal production

 DOWNLOAD PDF 240.21 KB

Regards Mark

6 April 2023

Essere Animali

Press Release

Essere Animali, recently collected footage that exposed the conditions lambs face while being transported during Easter. Their investigation was raised to the Chamber of Deputies at the Italian Parliament during yesterday’s ‘question time’ by Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida.

Poor and ineffective controls. The rules on animal transport in Italy are not respected

This was said by Eleonora Evi, deputy of Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, who tabled a direct question to the Minister precisely to highlight the dramatic problems that still affect live animal transport, particularly long-distance transport.

‘Italy is a country much affected by the long-distance transport of lambs and young sheep, especially during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

In 2022 – out of a total of 2,199,832 lambs slaughtered in Italy (source: Istat) – 653,303 came from Eastern Europe (mainly from Hungary and Romania). These transports often involve animals that are only a few weeks old, which have to endure traveling up to 30 hours inside trucks. 

Last March, Essere Animali, along with members from the police, carried out road checks from Gonars to the province of Bologna and Florence to monitor the transport of lambs arriving from Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. Six out of seven lorries were traveling in violation of the rules, with serious cases of overcrowding, lambs stuck in the partitions of the lorries, unusable watering systems and being generally unsuitable for the transport of this species.

In one case in particular, the lorry stopped near Altedo (Bologna) had 200 animals more than the permitted load, and three lambs were slaughtered by the Italian authorities because they were no longer able to continue the journey. Ultimately, current regulations are inadequate to guarantee the protection of animals during transport, one of the most stressful phases and cause of suffering for animals raised for food’.

It’s time to change the trend – and call for this cruelty to end 

The images and complaints collected by Essere Animali and the police once more show how the transport of live animals is a practice that must be overcome, and how important it is to robustly revise the rules that should protect animals during journeys.

When questioned on the revision of the European Regulation on the transport of live animals during the Question Time in the plenary session, Minister Lollobrigida confirmed that he did not support Portugal’s proposal, contrary to what was previously stated. Portugal’s briefing note, strongly contested by many other Member States, in fact re-proposes the status quo and calls for ‘continuing to facilitate intra-EU trade and the export of live animals, without focusing on measures to ban or restrict certain types of transport’. 

Evi adds: ‘This position is frankly unacceptable, considering that the current European Regulation is not only incomplete – a condition unexpectedly noted by the Minister himself – but also outdated and very weak as well as constantly violated by the Member States… [it] is disavowed day after day by the incredible amount of analyses and scientific opinions that confirm what we have been advocating for some time: the need for rules that protect animal welfare starting from species-specific needs’. 

‘We therefore take note of a possible change of position on the part of Italy, which has until now been ambiguous in its positions at European level, and certainly not vocal against maintaining the status quo unlike many other EU states. We therefore expect to see, in line with what the Minister has said, our country lined up with those countries that play a proactive role at European level in support of ambitious and courageous positions to provide the EU with a transport regulation that seriously focuses on animal welfare, starting with listening to scientific recommendations, greatly reducing traveling hours, banning long journeys and exporting outside the EU, banning the transport of unweaned animals and creating the conditions for a transition to transporting meat, carcasses and genetic material instead of live animals,’ she concludes.

Regards Mark

Animal welfare NGOs expose bull’s mistreatment: transport company fined

15 March 2023

AWF

Press Release

In 2020, the young bull Ferdinand was supposed to be loaded onto a substandard livestock vessel at the port of Cartagena, Spain. However, he was unfit for travel, unable to move and heavily mistreated. Workers subjected him to prolonged electric shocks and kicking. Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) filed a complaint against the transport company and veterinarian authorities, based on evidence collected together with Animals International and Welfarm. The investigation that followed the complaint revealed further violations. The export company in charge is one of the largest in Spain and has now been fined 4,500 Euros.

AWF filed an administrative complaint in 2020, and the case was classified as two serious administrative offences with major infringements of the transport regulation. The infringements were secondary and rather formal findings and are not directly related to animal abuse. They include lacking coordination between the different stages of the transport and a lack of communication which made it impossible to properly inspect all the animals.

In July 2020, Animal Welfare Foundation, Animals International and Welfarm witnessed and filmed how young bulls from different European countries were loaded from trucks onto a livestock vessel that exported them from Cartagena to Benghazi, Libya. One of them, a French bull who was named Ferdinand by the investigators, was injured and too weak to walk. At this point, he should have been euthanised on the spot. However, although clearly unfit for travel, workers forced him out of the truck by dragging him with a rope. Later, he was forced inside again because he was unable to walk through the vessel ramp. 

After the stressful procedure, the driver left the port and parked the truck at a petrol station nearby, with Ferdinand inside in the blazing sun, to take a prolonged lunch break. At this point, the NGOs called the police, who were not able to identify violations immediately and had to let the driver proceed.

Animal welfare NGOs call for ban of live exports and stronger penalties for violators

Ferdinand’s case is only one out of many, and highlights the systematic failure of animal welfare during transport. The organiser did not coordinate the arrival of the trucks properly and veterinarians had no chance to control the process correctly. A few months after the incident, the vessel (ABEER K, formerly ETAB) was detained in Raša, Croatia, due to severe deficiencies. Some of those can affect animal welfare onboard, such as the water conditions, structural conditions and fire safety.

The importance of animal welfare in livestock transport was once again underscored recently in an audit report on Spain’s livestock transport industry. The audit found that many sea transporters follow generic contingency plans that are unlikely to protect the welfare of animals during emergencies. Additionally, there is an insufficient number of official staff during loading, and delays in loading can create risks for the welfare of the animals, as they lack proper facilities to rest, feed, and water animals. New legislation will not be able to solve the defective nature of live transports.

“The suffering of the bull was obvious, but not even mentioned in the administrative verdict file. The procedure was carried out with clear opacity and lack of coordination by the competent body. We do not know whether the investigative measures we requested were carried out”, says Maria Boada‐Saña, Project Manager at Animal Welfare Foundation. “I hope that the ruling in the Ferdinand case will encourage stronger penalties for those who violate the regulations. We have been making this point for years. There is a notable lack of controls by veterinarian authorities, and examining one violation will often lead to other findings.”

Gabriel Paun, EU Director at Animals International, adds that “Ferdinand’s injuries were so severe that he was unable to walk, and yet he was still subjected to prolonged electric shocks and kicking. He was then pulled by a tractor on a rope to get him back into the truck. After that, he melted in pain and heat at a petrol station in bright sun while the driver enjoyed his lunch. This is not just a violation of regulations; it is a moral and ethical issue that needs to be addressed.”

Adrienne Bonnet, Head of Campaign, Advocacy and Legal Department at Welfarm, states: “It is sad to see a French animal end up in such a situation. The member states of the European Union need to address animal welfare issues in a joint effort. From the approval of transport vehicles to slaughter methods in third countries, such situations can only be prevented if live transports of long duration within and from the EU are stopped.”

Without the intervention of the three NGOs, the case would not have been exposed at all. This leaves transport companies with the impression of an acceptable risk: The sanctions for bad practices are not strong enough to act better in the future, even if they are considered major infringements.

NGOs call for a ban of live exports altogether. Many member states of the European Union use Spain as a loophole to send their animals from industries that would otherwise not be as profitable to third countries.

Regards Mark

This is a lot more than fantastic news ! – as anti export campaigners here in the UK for decades, we know the fight involved and send huge congratulations to all of our anti export campaigner friends in Australia.  After decades of fighting, it now appears that the terrible suffering for Australian animals in the live trade will be coming to an end.  It will not happen overnight; it never does, but now at east there is light at the end of a dark tunnel which will stop the suffering of many millions of animals.

Congratulations friends !!

Regards Mark

The pathway to ending live sheep export.

20 years after Animals Australia’s first investigation into the cruelty of the live sheep trade – the Albanese government has enacted a plan to bring it to an end.

The Australian government has appointed an Independent panel to oversee the phase-out of the live sheep export trade. This means that the Albanese government fully intends to keep its election commitment — and that live sheep export will end.

Very soon, every Australian will have the opportunity to contribute to a public consultation which will help determine how and when the phase out will occur. 

You can register here to be part of that process.

The live export of sheep is going to end, and this would never have happened without the unwavering support of thousands of caring Australians over many years

Continue reading about this at:

The pathway cleared to end live sheep export | Animals Australia

Regards Mark

This is a lot more than fantastic news ! – as anti export campaigners here in the UK for decades, we know the fight involved and send huge congratulations to all of our anti export campaigner friends in Australia.  After decades of fighting, it now appears that the terrible suffering for Australian animals in the live trade will be coming to an end.  It will not happen overnight; it never does, but now at east there is light at the end of a dark tunnel which will stop the suffering of many millions of animals.

Congratulations friends !!

Regards Mark

The pathway to ending live sheep export.

20 years after Animals Australia’s first investigation into the cruelty of the live sheep trade – the Albanese government has enacted a plan to bring it to an end.

The Australian government has appointed an Independent panel to oversee the phase-out of the live sheep export trade. This means that the Albanese government fully intends to keep its election commitment — and that live sheep export will end.

Very soon, every Australian will have the opportunity to contribute to a public consultation which will help determine how and when the phase out will occur. You can register here to be part of that process.

The live export of sheep is going to end, and this would never have happened without the unwavering support of thousands of caring Australians over many years

Continue reading about this at:

The pathway cleared to end live sheep export | Animals Australia

Regards Mark

Australia: Not Exactly the Tops When It Comes To Animal Welfare – Savage Shearing Exposed; Mulesing, Live Exports, Useless Trade Deals; Do We Go On ? – World Animals Voice

Australia: The Australian People Have Given Their Opinion On Climate Change, Live Animal Exports, and More. – World Animals Voice

Australia: Breaking News Just In 21/5/22 – Could This Result Be A Positive Towards Stopping Live Animal Exports ? – World Animals Voice

Australia: Live Exports – Update From Stop Live Exports.org. – World Animals Voice

Australia: Chances They (Governments) Take With Live Animal Exports – Crew Member from the ‘Al Messilah’ Livestock Carrier Docked in Fremantle Has Tested Positive for COVID-19. – World Animals Voice

South Africa / Australia: NSPCA WIN Court Case and STOP Live Exports From South Africa After Same Exporter Loses In Australia. – World Animals Voice

Australia: Live Exports – Rural Export & Trading or RETWA, is seeking an exemption to regulations because a disease outbreak on one of their ships meant they couldn’t get their last shipment out before the deadline. – World Animals Voice

Australia: Cattle Station Abuses Exposed – With Live Exports, A Farming Nation at the Top of the Tree When It Comes to Animal Abuse. – World Animals Voice

New rules on transport by sea are ignoring the problem

21 February 2023

Press Release

Last week the European Commission introduced new rules on transport by sea. While civil society and European citizens are expecting to see a real change in this area, the new rules only scratch the surface of the problems it faces. In light of the forthcoming revision of the Transport Regulation, more could, and should, be done.

On 17 February 2023, The European Commission (EC) adopted an implementing and a delegated act intended to facilitate the inspections and official controls on livestock vessels. 

More specifically, the acts impose rules on the recording, storing and sharing of records of official controls, on contingency plans in the event of emergencies, on the approval of vessels, and on minimum requirements applicable to exit points for the transport of animals by sea.

The new provisions appear to primarily address administrative gaps. As such, they will have limited impact on better protecting animals during typically long and challenging sea journeys.

The creation of a new electronic database to be shared among all Member States will enable the sharing of information on ship conditions and on the official controls. While, in principle, this could be a positive development, such a database is a toothless instrument when it comes to transports to destinations outside the EU, of which no mention is made. 

The new rules stipulate that vessels must be inspected by a team of experts (an official veterinarian and a maritime expert), but there’s no mention of an increase in the thoroughness of the inspections. Let us not forget that only 6% of 78 EU-approved livestock vessels were purpose-built to transport animals, and in the period 2019-2020 alone, no less than 2,504 deficiencies were found.

Another novelty is that an official veterinarian must be present during the first trip of an approved vessel. Given the duration and risks associated with such journeys, an official veterinarian should be present on all journeys and at all stages of the journey. 

While it’s good that minimum requirements for control posts at the seaport exit points are established if an additional part of the trip is planned by road, the controls during arrival, unloading, and other transportation phases after arrival remain uncovered.

The Transport Regulation is currently being revised by the EC and we expect a new proposal by the end of the year. This new proposal should take into account:

The recommendations of the Committee of inquiry on animal transport (ANIT)

EFSA’s latest scientific opinion on the welfare of animals during transport

The European citizens’ demands on live transport, clearly mirrored in several public campaigns like Stop the Trucks and No Animal Left Behind 

Eurogroup for Animals and its more than eighty members have been clearly asking to:

Prohibit the transport of live animals to third countries/territories (outside of the EEA)

Set out species-specific reduced maximum journey times

Prohibit the transport of day-old chicks and unweaned calves under 12 weeks of age 

Transport times to ‘start’ from the moment of loading, and to end from the moment of ‘unloading’.

Back in July 2022, 13 Member States called for an ambitious revision of the Transport Regulation including maximum journey times as well as a shift to a meat and carcass trade. There is resistance from other Member States which would like to keep this cruel practice as it currently is, specifically on live export. However, we call on Commissioner Kyriakides to stand by her statement: “Doing nothing is not an option. Change is necessary because animal welfare is a key component of our sustainable food production system”. 

“Live animal exports will never be able to meet animal welfare needs, considering that journeys can last several days, or even months. The only way to truly assure animal welfare is to ban this practice. With the current revision of the animal welfare legislation, the EC has the real opportunity to change the lives of millions of animals. The Transport Regulation needs to be thoroughly revised and we trust these two acts won’t stop the momentum for real change. Maximum journey times and a ban on live export are at the core of the needed change.” – Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals. 

Regards Mark

I have personally been involved with live animal transport for over 35 years.  Mainly the export of British animals to mainland Europe via Southern ports, especially Dover; I have taken part in undercover investigations especially those relating to the export of live horses from England.

To be blunt, I gave up on the EU and the stopping of live animal transport about 10 years ago;  the EU, despite all its weasel words and PR, does not want stoppage in the transport of live animals.  There is no EU legislation for stray dogs – why ? – because stray dogs are a ‘by product’ of many member states who do not take action to reduce numbers; and it is common in several other places around the world also; stray dogs DO NOT earn each member state any money; they are considered a nuisance, but transporting live animals on the other hand between members states does make a lot of money; hence the reluctancy of the EU to really want to do anything in legislation about stopping long distance live animal transport in favour of a carcass trade

If the EU had legislation about strays, then there would be very positive actions relating to reductions in numbers – basically, spaying a stray animal is more than half the battle; spayed animals do not continue to produce more pups and kittens.  The money spent each year in stray animal actions would easily pay for a spay / neuter program in that country.  I have personally campaigned and fought the government in Serbia since 2005 to improve stray animal welfare. Here is the link to my site associated with stray animal actions in Serbia.

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/

So, why not EU legislation for strays ? – because it is not interested, simple as that – money saved and gained from stray controls is a nogo; where as exporting live animals between member states is a big money earner; so that is why there is the farce know as Regulation 1/2005 which should ‘protect’ animals during transport – it does not; simple, and I say that as a person with experience who has battled this out with the EU for decades.

Here is a link to all the EU waffle about legislation to protect animals in transport:

EUR-Lex – 32005R0001 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

I have used it for prosecutions for years, and I virtually know this legislation word for word.  But, the EU member states do not apply the legislation as a consequence; and as a result the animal suffer massively.

Take a look at these and then tell me EU legislation ‘works’;

Come on EU, get a grip; ban live exports NOW.

All photos – Mark

Photo AIS / Marine Traffic.

4.5 tonnes of cocaine found on a ship carrying 1,750 cows

8 February 2023

AWF

On 28 January, the ORION V, a vessel bound for the Middle East from Colombia, was arrested off the Canary Islands: 4.5 tonnes of cocaine were found on board.

After 9 days at sea, the boat was stopped for over 56 hours and a large part of the crew was arrested. The rest of the crew was authorised to go to Algeria, as the animals were not allowed to stay in the European Union.

The 4.5 tonnes of cocaine were disguised as animal feed. National Police and Customs Surveillance Service have suspect that drugs have been transported on board the ORION V since 2020.

The vessel is closely linked to both drug trafficking and animal welfare/human health issues:

In June 2020, during a drug raid, the police noticed 5,000 cattle from Colombia in alarmingly bad condition.

The ship was overloaded and dirty, the animals were emaciated, and some were already dead. They were exported to Egypt without any veterinarian treatment. The drug raid had to be cancelled because the drug dogs could not work due to the ammonia smell.

In September 2021, three workers inhaled a toxic gas emitted from the cattle feed on board the vessel. Two were injured, one died.

Like most livestock vessels, the ORION V is very old and not suitable for animal exports. The makeshift solutions, sharp edges, sloping sides and dirty bedding pose serious dangers to the animals.

The fact that this trade is being targeted by drug smugglers is yet another wake-up call to ban cruel live exports once and for all.

The European Union needs a fundamental change in its agricultural policy. Long-distance transports of live animals must end. Exporting live animals and accepting their cruel slaughter in third countries is not compatible with the values ​​of the European Union.”

Maria Boada-Saña, veterinarian and project manager at Animal Welfare Foundation e.V.

We have obtained the following additional information:

What kind of ship is this?

ORION V (IMO: 7300992) is a Livestock Carrier that was built in 1973 (50 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Togo.

Her carrying capacity is 4054 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 6 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 97.31 meters and her width is 16.24 meters.

Regards Mark

England: 1/2/23 – Remembering Jill. A Brief Insight – The Live Exports Battles of SE England to Be A Voice for the Voiceless.