Photon – Serbian sheep being exported to Israel.

Read more about our work here under the ‘Serbian Animal Voice’ label. After the exports were exposed, the Serbian government denied it all; and issued threats to all those involved with the expose. Serbian animal shelters were even threatened with closure !. We stuck our ground and in the end proved that the sheep exported to Isreal had originated with approval in Serbia. Read the following (SAV) links below for more. Note – we (WAV) still operate SAV in conjunction to WAV, which is now the prime site.

See more about Serbian strays at https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-serbian-animals/ and more about our other campaign work at https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/

United for the animals ! – Ragards Mark.

Serbia: It Now Appears The Sheep Exported Live To Israel WERE From Serbia; Despite The Threats.

England: SAV Now Write TO EU Commissioner Hahn Regarding Serbia – Israeli Live Animal Transport.

Serbia: Breaking News – Serbia Exports Live Sheep To Israel.

EP Animal Transport Committee meet for the first time

28 September 2020

The ANIT-Committee has not yet published a timetable for upcoming activities but among the important next steps to take will be the appointment of the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs of the investigation report.

During its constitutive meeting on 23 September, the Committee of Inquiry on the protection of animals during transport (ANIT) elected Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA) as its Chairwoman. The competing candidate for chairperson was Sylvia Limmer (ID, DE). 

Marlene Mortler (EPP, DE), Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL, NL), Mohammed Chahim (S&D, NL) and Martin Hojsik (Renew, SK) were appointed as Vice-Chairs. Together, the Chairwoman and Vice-Chairs will make up the bureau of the Committee, elected for the whole mandate of one year.

Photo – Calves being exported – Mark

Almost half of ANIT’s 30 Members and 25 substitutes are also Members of the EP Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals which was a driving force in calling for its creation. The Committee of Inquiry was established by a very large majority during the EP’s plenary session in July 2020 upon a request presented by 181 MEPs to the Conference of Presidents (EP President and leaders of political groups in the House).

The Committee’s main objective will be to look into alleged violations in the application of European Union law governing live animal transport both within and outside the Union.  For this, they can consult experts and stakeholders and invite them for public hearings or carry out themselves study trips (COVID-19 pandemic allowing) to see the situation on the ground.  The results of the inquiries and assessments will be the basis for an investigation report which will be adopted at the end of ANIT’s one-year mandate. This report can be used as a  source document for the urgently needed revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.

Photo – Sheep being exported – Mark

The ANIT-Committee has not yet published a timetable for upcoming activities but among the important next steps to take will be the appointment of the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs of the investigation report.

A first attempt to create an EP Committee of Inquiry on animal transport dates back to 2017. At the time, it was supported by 223 MEPs from all parties and political groups. However, the EP Conference of Presidents, upon request from the Agriculture Committee,  rejected this request opting for a less costly solution with an EP report on the implementation of Council Regulation No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport within and outside the EU, (2018/2110(INI))

This report, drafted by Animal Welfare Intergroup Member Jørn Dohrmann MEP (ECR, DK), was adopted at the end of the last Parliamentary term. It specifically recommends in its article 22 that the “Parliament establishes a committee of inquiry on the welfare of animals during transport within and outside the EU as from the beginning of the next parliamentary term in order to properly investigate and monitor alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. The current ANIT Committee is therefore also a consequence of this recommendation expressed by the EP during the former term.

Photo – Livestock transporter – Mark
 

USEFUL LINKS:

Live video of the meeting

Parliamentary Magazine’s article

Regards Mark.

23/9/20.

Breaking news in from Compassion In World Farming (CIWF) – London.

Dear Mark,

Amazing news: the Scottish Government has halted live calf exports.

After our gruelling, six-month legal battle, the Scottish Government has now accepted that live calf exports that breach maximum permitted journey times – a regular occurrence since April 2019 – can no longer be tolerated.

It has therefore instructed that no further applications for unweaned calf exports that breach these rules should be approved – effectively halting the current trade.

This is a huge victory for calves – and it’s all thanks to the support of people like you.

We are pleased to announce that, after a gruelling legal battle, the Scottish Government has finally stopped live calf exports.

Having spent six months defending the inhumane export of unweaned calves to Europe, they have conceded that this trade was being conducted in breach of the legislation on the protection of animals during transport.

With backing from our dedicated supporters, we launched Judicial Review proceedings to challenge the lawfulness of this practice back in February. Both the Scottish and UK Governments resisted for several months – wasting taxpayers’ money – shamefully defending a trade which can see calves go for 23 hours without food and often water.

In a major U-turn, the Scottish Government has now instructed the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which is responsible for approving export journeys, to not approve any further applications for unweaned calf exports that breach the time limits in the regulations.

“The Scottish Government’s conduct during this dispute has often fallen far short of that expected from a responsible authority,” said Peter Stevenson, our Chief Policy Advisor. “They have neglected to disclose key information, run misleading arguments, and despite export journeys exceeding the maximum permitted travelling time since at least April 2019, that these journeys were exceeding the maximum permitted travelling time, they failed to act and did not issue an instruction to halt the trade until over a year later. Above all, they have vigorously defended this cruel and unnecessary trade.”

Over several decades, millions of British calves have been forced to endure long, inhumane journeys to Europe for slaughter and fattening. We have fought this all the way. The ending of calf exports from Britain represents a turning point in the battle to stop this horrific trade.

“We welcome this decision that means thousands of calves will be spared such gruelling journeys every year,” said Natasha Smith, our Senior Campaigns Manager. “However, it is outrageous that it took legal action and years of argument to bring the Scottish Government to this point.”

Whilst this is a major victory for the welfare of Scottish calves, the policy must now be secured by legislation. The Scottish Government has promised a public consultation on banning journeys over 9 hours for calves, and the UK Government has previously committed to a separate consultation on live exports. Similar consultations in the past have yet to yield results.

“More consultations and empty promises are not enough,” Natasha continued. “We need new legislation to protect animals from this cruel and unnecessary practice once and for all.”

Now, our fight continues far beyond the courtroom. We will not stop until there is a complete ban on live exports from the UK for slaughter and fattening.

You have helped achieve justice for calves. A huge thanks to every person who has donated, emailed politicians, or even joined Kent Action Against Live Exports to protest the sailings in person.

Read more about our Judicial Review proceedings here.

Regards Mark

https://www.farmonline.com.au/story/6930681/kltt-sells-twin-tiered-live-export-ship/?cs=4698

KLTT sells twin-tiered live export ship

Aidan Smith19 Sep 2020

KUWAIT Livestock Transport and Trading (KLTT) – Australia’s largest buyer of live sheep – has sold its twin-tier livestock vessel the Al Shuwaikh for an undisclosed amount.

KLTT’s Western Australian subsidiary, Rural Export and Trading WA managing director Mike Gordon said a Jordanian company, Al Delta Company, purchased the vessel about two weeks ago.

The Al Shuwaikh was due to be phased out from the Australian trade because of new marine orders that prohibited twin-tier vessels from operating in Australia beyond January 1, 2020, without an exemption.

Until now the vessel did have an exemption but it was only used for sheep.

A clause in the paperwork was discovered only when it was pointed out to the company by agriculture department officials, that denied them the ability to load cattle on deck five, costing KLTT $1million per voyage from WA.

Mr Gordon said the 34-year-old Al Shuwaikh was “due to be retired”.

He said the company would continue to service Australia “for the foreseeable future” with its two remaining vessels, the Al Messilah and the newly-purchased Al Kuwait, the world’s largest livestock carrier.

Mr Gordon said the vessels would be spaced to run back-to-back trips from September 16 to May 30, 2021, until the northern hemisphere summer moratorium prohibited trade to the Middle East (June 1 to September 15).

The company would also divert the vessels to South Africa when needed.

Two other twin-tier vessels had been servicing the Australian market – the Maysora and the Bader III.

Livestock Shipping Services, which owns these vessels, had cut the upper deck from the Bader III but decided to utilise the vessel in other markets.

Farm Weekly understands that the company has applied for an exemption for the Maysora to continue to service Australia in the short-term, however it’s last known position was off the coast of north-west Africa.

Just a few of our (WAV) past posts related to the AS:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/09/18/remember-the-al-shuwaikh-and-the-romania-sheep-now-it-is-trying-to-take-sa-sheep-read-the-latest-from-animals-australia-and-the-rspca/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/08/03/al-shuwaikh-sheep-transporter-vessel-expected-in-qatar-today-3-8-19/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/08/01/the-al-shuwaikh-tragedy-a-collective-failure/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/07/23/al-shuwaikh-romanian-sheep-shipment-70000-animals-current-position-red-sea-has-departed-jeddah/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/10/10/south-africa-legal-battle-against-the-death-ship/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/10/02/south-africa-surprise-surprise-ship-transporting-60000-sheep-on-journey-of-death-gets-clean-bill-of-health/

Regards Mark

From our live export campaigner friends at SAFE in New Zealand:

Kia ora Mark

Tens of thousands of animals have died in live export disasters over the last decade.

Animals are exported alive from New Zealand for breeding due to a loophole in our law. These animals are transported in dangerous conditions on open sea voyages or by air. When they reach their destination, they are likely kept and slaughtered in ways that are illegal in New Zealand.
 

Live export is not worth the suffering. 
 
SAFE has launched an ambitious international campaign to put pressure on Labour leader Jacinda Ardern to impose a complete ban on all live export.

This advertisement is running in the Guardian online and will be seen by hundreds of thousands of readers across the UK and Europe.

Jacinda Ardern is known around the world for being a good leader and in Aotearoa New Zealand for putting kindness at the forefront of her values. Sadly, that kindness does not extend to animals.
 
The appalling human and animal suffering that happened when the Gulf Livestock 1 sank cannot happen again.
 
Jacinda Ardern needs to know just how many people care about animal welfare, and that the world’s attention is on how New Zealand handles this disaster. Our international reputation depends on it.

SAFE has run an advertisement in the Guardian newspaper so that people around the world can ask Jacinda Ardern to extend her kindness to animals and ban live export once and for all. You can help by sharing this advertisement with your friends and family via email and social media.

Share the advertisement now:

This year, approximately 65,000 cows have left our shores. There are significant risks to the welfare of farmed animals transported by ship, especially over long distances. The Pacific Ocean is renowned for rough seas that can cause the cows to suffer seasickness and be thrown around and injured. The rough seas, unnatural diet, high stocking densities and heat stress all have a negative effect on these animals, with some suffering injuries and others dying on board.

Once the journey is over, they may well end up confined in concrete factory farms for the rest of their lives, never to set foot on grass again. Then, when no longer deemed profitable, these cows will be killed, most likely by methods so cruel they are illegal in New Zealand.
 
We need to keep up the opposition to this cruel trade, and we can’t do it without you. Please make a gift today towards SAFE’s international campaign so we can continue to shine a spotlight on New Zealand’s cruel live export trade.

Animals need us to all work together to end their suffering.
 
Let’s ban live export – once and for all.  

Debra Ashton
Chief Executive Officer

Donate and give a gift to the campaign:

One time donation

Show Jacinda that live export harms New Zealand’s reputation:

One time donation

Regards Mark

Our past posts about Regan Russell include:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/07/25/obituary-regan-russell/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/07/08/usa-canada-2-us-pigs-saved-from-factory-farm-in-the-name-of-canadian-activist-regan-russell/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/13/justice-for-regan-russell-the-lie-industry-of-the-animal-transport-mafia/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/06/23/the-murder-of-regan-russell/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/06/20/the-longtime-activist-reagan-russel-was-killed-while-protesting/

Sent to us today by contact:  we repeat it unchanged.

———————————————–

Name: Lisa Barca

Comment: New Music Video by Vegan Band Scarlet Rescue Debuting September 17th Honors Slain Animal Rights Activist Regan Russell.

“Regan’s Song” marks the three-month anniversary of her death when she was struck by a pig transport truck while protesting outside of a slaughterhouse.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lisa Barca, Scarlet Rescue, (480) 747-5196 Scarlet.Rescue.Music@gmail.com

PHOENIX, AZ – September 10, 2020 – “I was devastated by Regan’s death, and when Jane called me to propose working on “Regan’s Song” together, I immediately realized what an important contribution the song would be to keeping Regan’s memory alive, telling her story, and motivating others to fight in her name by speaking out for animals,” said Lisa Barca, frontwoman of all-vegan punk band Scarlet Rescue.

The song was co-written by Lisa Barca and Jane Velez-Mitchell, television and social media journalist and author. Velez-Mitchell is the founder of #JaneUnChained, a digital news network for animal rights and the vegan lifestyle. “I felt compelled to write the song because social justice movements need music to become a cultural phenomenon. And, this martyr deserves a tribute that will remind people that she made the ultimate sacrifice. As the song says, she gave her life to spare them the knife,” said Velez-Mitchell.

“Regan’s Song” is a professionally filmed and recorded video shot in studio and includes footage of Regan Russell’s activism with Toronto Pig Save and the Save Movement’s work around the world.

Anita Krajnc, co-founder of Toronto Pig Save, said, “Regan’s Song” is an anthem song that represents a vindication for all the exploited and suffering animals Regan stood up for her entire life. In the best tradition of protest songs, the chorus is an inspiring call to action. Audiences will sing along and go vegan to ensure Regan lives on and did not die in vain.”

A sample of the lyrics from the song:

Go vegan for Regan
She didn’t die in vain
She gave her life
To spare them the knife

Go vegan with Regan
We will fight in her name
Run down and killed
Her blood was spilled

Video embargoed: Not to be released before September 17th.

Scarlet Rescue is: Lisa Barca (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin), Nathaniel Burns (drums), Stephen Davis (piano), and Dillon Pape (bass)

https://www.scarletrescue.com/
Facebook: @scarlet.rescue.music
Instagram: @scarletrescue
YouTube: Contact for video link

People power stops new live export business in its tracks

A plan to begin exporting live animals from Namibia to Kuwait has been quashed thanks to a united, global effort drawing attention to the suffering caused by the trade.

The idea that when one door closes another opens, is mostly reassuring. But when it comes to the global live export trade, this universal truth is the reason we need to remain ever vigilant. You see, as countries have become clued-up to the cruelty inherent to live export — and widespread opposition to it — live exporters have found it harder to shore up business.

When Australia restricted sheep exports during the dangerous northern summer months, exporters knocked on Romania’s door. And Animals Australia was there. When Romania began questioning the trade, they went to South Africa. Again, we were already there. When South Africa’s NSPCA took the battle to stop the trade all the way to the High Court, it was abundantly clear: this global trade in animal cruelty is well and truly matched by a global effort to stop it.

From Australia to New Zealand to Brazil to South Africa and to dozens of countries throughout Europe — there is a powerful, international collaboration of groups and individuals working together to save animals from this ruthless industry.

And it’s a compassionate effort that has just paid off in Namibia, with new plans to begin live export from the Southern African nation put on hold indefinitely.

The business plan put forward by Tradeport Namibia proposed to import 70,000 live sheep, 50,000 goats and 5,000 cattle from South Africa and Botswana for live export from Namibia to Kuwait.

As exposé after exposé has revealed — it’s a sea journey fraught with risk for the animals who would be confined in cramped and stressful conditions for weeks before facing terrifying fully conscious slaughter upon arrival.

A rapid-fire public and media education campaign was launched in Namibia to highlight the reality of live export for the animals. In its submission objecting to the business plan, Namibia’s SPCA noted that the trade undermines Namibian laws and standards and that allowing live export would:

…effectively endorse an archaic trade that is struggling to maintain a social license to operate in this day and age.

Former live export vet and whistleblower, Dr Lynn Simpson detailed for the Namibian media the animal suffering and deaths witnessed during her 57 voyages from Australia, warning:

I would caution any country approached by exporters to avoid getting caught in this trade of unnecessary cruelty and death.

And the warnings have been heeded. In announcing that plans to export live animals would be ‘put on ice’, Tradeport Namibia noted the strong opposition, locally and internationally, to the export of live animals and that the company did not want to be involved in a business that will attract widespread outrage.

A united global front is turning the tide on live export. We don’t always win, but we are always there. And every action you take to support these efforts takes us another step towards shutting the door on this industry, for good.

Ending live export

For as long as this cruel trade in living beings exists — we remain as committed as ever to sparing animals from falling victim to it. Will you join us?

Please spare 1 minute now to lend your voice to the animals — and help create a world free from the horror of live export.

ACTION

https://secure.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/end-live-export/int?r=1

I detest ALL live animal exports. 

It is simply immense animal cruelty under the guise of trade benefit and primarily, profit by those who do not care about much else other than what goes into their bank accounts and back pockets.

I personally hate and feel very sorry for the low life people that work in this business.  Normally I do not hate; but in the live export case I make exceptions !

I have been directly involved with UK (English) live animal exports for 30 years, maybe more now.  Philip (CEO at CIWF) and I became good friends in all the campaigning years at South East English ports where live animals were exported.  We still communicate regularly.

Here is a picture of me from ?- lets just say many years gone by when we were at Dover harbour in Kent, England; campaigning against live calf exports; the issue of this post now.  They were sad times for all the campaigners involved; witnessing the baby innocents being shipped to foreign lands for financial gain only. 

Photos – Putting the (then) UK Prime Minister John Major MP into the veal crate instead of the calf – how do you like it John Boy ?

As a campaigner against the trade at Dover; you always heard the calves way before you actually witnessed the transporters arriving with them at the docks.  Why did we always hear first ? – because they are / were mere babies; deprived of their mothers milk; calling out for the mothers that they would never see again because of the ‘want’ by the human species to require some bovine milk for their cup of tea or coffee every morning.

All animals going for export suffer in the live trade.  There is the silence of the (baby) lambs; the immense crying of the (baby) calves; and the pigs and the horses who make noises probably and simply because they are not happy in their situation.

You can read a lot more, with one link giving route to an undercover investigation for Irish calves going to Cherbourg in France; by clicking on the following:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/ – scroll down until you see the calf photographs as per the one below.

The link, is to ‘Serbian Animals Voice’ (SAV, which is the sister site to this (WAV); and was founded by myself to help stray dogs and cats in the Balkans back in 2oo5.

Your contribution and actions:

Now I am asking for your help and support to aid Philip and the crew at CIWF (London), as putting massive pressure on UK governments is vital to getting this abhorrent trade stopped for once and all. 

The following is largely copied directly from CIWF campaigning..  Action links are also provided; and this is the essential route where I personally ask for your support.

(From CIWF) – Dear Mark,

Together, we scored a big victory for calves last month: the courts REJECTED the Scottish Government’s request to INDEFINITELY DELAY our Judicial Review of live calf exports.

However, our legal battle rages on – and we must ramp up the pressure on decision makers who are still prepared to defend this vile trade in court.

The legal battle against British live calf exports rages on – and we must maintain momentum to deliver justice for calves.

As you may know, Compassion’s Judicial Review of the appalling trade in unweaned calves from Britain to the Continent is set to be heard in court in the autumn.

Thousands of compassionate people have already lobbied the Scottish Government to drop its opposition to the case.

Following those emails, it has indicated it may consider reviewing its live exports policy.

But the Scottish Government is still fighting us in court – and Defra, acting on behalf of the UK Government, is backing them.

Given that UK decision makers have repeatedly pledged to end live exports for fattening and slaughter, this is a bitter betrayal.

Please, help end this hypocrisy: urge the UK Government to drop its legal defence of cruel calf exports.

ACTION – tell the UK government to stop defending calf exports:

https://action.ciwf.org.uk/page/64652/action/1?ea.tracking.id=email-action&supporter.appealCode=CATEM_UK0920a_R1&utm_campaign=transport&utm_source=email-action&utm_medium=email&ea.url.id=4900975&forwarded=true

Following the 38,904 emails from Compassion supporters, the Scottish Government has indicated it may reconsider its live exports policy.

ACTION:  Ramp up the action against the Scottish Government and live calf exports.

https://action.ciwf.org.uk/page/61498/action/1?ea.tracking.id=link&supporter.appealCode=CATWE_UK0520b&utm_campaign=transport&utm_source=link&utm_medium=ciwf?ea.tracking.id=link&supporter.appealCode=CATWE_UK0520b&utm_campaign=transport&utm_source=link&utm_medium=ciwf&_ga=2.153138360.1615535136.1599747348-1011492873.1599747348&_gac=1.216672930.1599818727.EAIaIQobChMI9o70je3g6wIVmPhRCh0CJw7DEAAYASAAEgL9o_D_BwE

But it is still fighting CIWF in court – and Defra, acting on behalf of the UK Government, is still supporting them.

UK decision makers simply cannot get away with protecting a trade they claim to want to end. Do they really want to use taxpayers’ money to defend animal cruelty?

ACTION:  Urge Defra to drop its oppsition to the CIWF calf court case:

https://action.ciwf.org.uk/page/64652/action/1?ea.tracking.id=email-action&supporter.appealCode=CATEM_UK0920a_R1&utm_campaign=transport&utm_source=email-action&utm_medium=email&ea.url.id=4900978&forwarded=true

Case Review:

The case: journeys over eight hours for unweaned calves are not permitted unless, after nine hours of travel, they receive a one-hour break for rest, water and, “if necessary”, food. In practice, the calves can only be fed when unloaded at an appropriate facility. For calves exported from Scotland, the first time this happens is in Northern France – which means they can go up to 23 hours without food.

The aim: a court ruling that these journeys are unlawful, because the legal requirement for food during travel isn’t being met.

If we win: British live calf exports could not continue in their current form, which could spare thousands of animals every year from unnecessary suffering. Plus, since UK and EU legislation on live transport are identical, the case could trigger action across Europe.

https://www.ciwf.org.uk/our-campaigns/ban-live-exports/

Action link – UK and Europe:  https://www.ciwf.org.uk/our-campaigns/ban-live-exports/

Reports on the live trade;  https://www.ciwf.org.uk/research/live-transport/

Please show your support to protect the calves; ACT NOW.

Regards Mark

The carcass of a cow floats in waters, about 120 kilometers northwest of Amami Oshima in the East China Sea. Japanese rescuers found a second crew member and multiple dead cows Friday in waters where a livestock ship capsized and sank during stormy weather two days earlier.

Photo: The 10th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters via AP

4/9/20

We have been doing a bit more work into the very recent sinking of the ‘Gulf Livestock 1’ vessel near to Japan.

Our Links:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/09/03/breaking-3-9-20-livestock-transporter-ship-carrying-43-crew-and-almost-6000-cattle-missing-in-typhoon-off-japan/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/09/03/3-9-20-japan-live-export-news-more-appears-ship-has-sunk-and-1-crewmember-survives/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/09/03/gulf-livestock-1/

Latest news –

Japan’s coast guard rescued a second ‘survivor’ who was unconscious and floating face down in a dinghy on Friday. The man, whose identity was unknown, was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, said Takahiro Yamada, a spokesman for the regional coast guard headquarters.  Mr Yamada also stated that rescuers had spotted dozens of cow carcasses floating in the area.  We know the crew of ‘Gulf Livestock 1’ originally sent a distress signal early Wednesday.

Regarding the vessel before the incident, there are a few interesting issues that have arisen from further investigation:

• The ship is technically managed and crewed by Germany’s Marconsult Schiffarht GMBH – what exactly does the term ‘crewed by’ mean ?  – if crewed by Germany, then why so many Filipino ‘crew’ on the vessel ?
•  A December inspection report from Indonesian authorities on the website of Equasis, which collates ship safety information from both public and private sources, logged issues with the ship’s propulsion and auxiliary machinery. 
• Issues included “deficiencies” with the propulsion main engine and gauges, thermometers.  We understand from the sole survivor of the incident that he told rescuers the ship stalled when an engine stopped, then capsized after being hit by a powerful broadside wave and sank.
•  A 2019 report by the Australian government on the same cattle ship’s transit in June from Australia to Indonesia noted the vessel’s departure was delayed for a week because of “stability and navigation issues identified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).”

AMSA’s website showed Gulf Livestock 1 was detained by the Australian authorities        for three days in May 2019, because of issues related to its navigation Electronic    Chart Display and Information System. The report cited both a lack of up-to-date    charts and training for officers using the system.

• A report on the website of FleetMon, a German-based maritime tracking site, shows the ship, under its previous name of Rahmeh, anchored off the Turkish coast in September 2018 “to fix a mechanical problem” that required the delivery of spare parts.
• The FleetMon report also noted some concern from local residents about the ship’s extended stay at Cesme port, because livestock on a previous voyage had been found to be infected with anthrax.

Today, 4/9/20, it appears that Maritime New Zealand found no issues with the livestock ship, Gulf Livestock 1, before it left the port of Napier (New Zealand) last month. The ship with 43 crew and nearly 6000 cattle on board sailed from Napier on 14 August bound for China.

Maritime New Zealand said the vessel was checked on arrival and prior to departure from Napier, and no irregularities were found.

The marine regulator said livestock carriers were checked for stability and the conditions of the livestock pens.

At the same time, the animal activist group SAFE is calling for the minister of agriculture Damien O’Connor to be held to account over the sinking of Gulf Livestock 1.

We wonder why ? – So far, O’Connor has declined all media requests on the issues.

Yesterday, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) temporarily suspended consideration of cattle livestock export applications.

Video footage supplied to us today by activist Jane in England shows another issue which English campaigners have been attempting to get official UK authority action on for many years.  It concerns an ex  Soviet battle tank RIVER vessel called the ‘Joline’ which is operated by a Dutchman to take British livestock across the English Channel into Europe for slaughter.  It should be remembered that the Joline is a river use vessel and was not designed for crossing the English Channel as it does now.

UK activists have raised concerns about the use of the Joline as an animal transporter carrier for many years.  At WAV it is thought that as long as it (Joline) does not bury human victims on the sea floor; the vessel and its animal ‘cargo’ will continue to be used.  In our opinion; the authorities do not have the guts to stop it by taking action.

Above – the Joline. Note openess and low level of deck. Trailers are loaded with live animals, Photos: Val Cameron.

Above – the Joline in the English Channel in rough weather. Note loaded livestock transporters on deck.

Here at WAV it is also considered that the New Zealand Minister would never have banned a single animal transport if the accident off Japan had not drowned 43 human animals.  There are just a few basic, simple words for the other 6,000 non human animals that drowned and died such terrible deaths. The ban in NZ now, in which O’Connor has declined all media requests on the issues we mention, has been done solely out of public pressure, and not out of philanthropy, or ensuring the welfare of animals.  Very little is said for the 6,000 sentient beings who lost their lives; only for the 43 human beings carried by the vessel.

This all begs the question, and maybe shows, just how powerful is the animal transport Mafia of the world is, this may be reflected in just how soon we again see the NZ government cave in to the industry demands to resume exports come what may.

We would hope that the relatives and families of the lost crewmen who vanished the other night would show solidarity with us simply because we have a common enemy; the live export mafia.  Sadly, but probably; the shipping industrialists will compensate and comfort them with the fact that their loved ones were ‘victims of a typhon’, that seldom happens, but it can happen.

Very little, or nothing, will be said about the technical defects or as we show above, for June 2019, the vessel’s departure was delayed for a week because of “stability and navigation issues identified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).”  Most of the crew who perished are Filipino; their families; probably like them, are most likely poorer people who  cannot pay lawyers.

So it looks as if the mafia of the animal transport industry will win again, by banging out a few nice words; making excuses for defects, and as always; simply ignoring the deaths of thousands of animals they are allegedly responsible for.  Words mean little; but actions mean a lot.

We will continue to fight for the paltry injustice served to the animals – the victims of the money grabbing meat makers.  I have done it with many others for the last 30 years; so tomorrow will be no different for me.

Regards Mark