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

Our Fleet

CREWS have a choice to sail – ANIMALS do NOT.

GULF LIVESTOCK 1, Livestock Carrier – Details and current position – IMO 9262883 MMSI 353947000 – VesselFinder

The Gulf Livestock 1 is a 139m (450ft), Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel built in 2002

The vessel is owned by UAE shipowner Gulf Navigation and prior to conversion in 2012 was a 630 teu boxship.

IMO number	9262883
Vessel Name	GULF LIVESTOCK 1
Ship type	Livestock Carrier
Flag	Panama
Homeport
Gross Tonnage	11947
Summer Deadweight (t)	8372
Length Overall (m)	134
Beam (m)	20
Draught (m)
Year of Built	2002
History: Vessel Name Registered Owner Year GULF LIVESTOCK 1 2019 RAHMEH 2015 CETUS J. Jungerhans 2012 DANA HOLLANDIA Jungerhans 2006 CETUS J. Jungerhans 2002 MAERSK WATERFORD Jungerhans

Further Link::

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12361791

Cargo ship with 43 crew and nearly 6,000 cattle sank off Japan, survivor says | World news | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/03/typhoon-maysak-ship-with-43-crew-and-nearly-6000-cattle-missing-off-japan

A cargo ship carrying 43 crew and nearly 6,000 cattle sank off Japan after reportedly losing an engine in rough seas caused by Typhoon Maysak, a survivor has said.

The Filipino crew member, named as Sareno Edvarodo, a 45-year-old chief officer, was rescued late on Wednesday after Japanese navy P-3C surveillance aircraft spotted him wearing a life vest and waving while bobbing in the water.

Cargo ship with 43 crew and nearly 6,000 cattle sank off Japan, survivor says | World news | The Guardian

Edvarodo, who was in good health, told rescuers the ship capsized before sinking, said Yuichiro Higashi, a spokesman for the Japanese coast guard’s regional headquarters conducting the search.

The Panamanian-registered vessel, called Gulf Livestock 1, sent the distress call from the East China Sea early on Wednesday, to the west of Amami Oshima Island in south-western Japan, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

According to Edvarodo, the ship lost an engine before it was hit by a wave and capsized, a coastguard spokeswoman said.

Crew were instructed to put on lifejackets as the ship capsized, he said, adding that he had jumped into the water and had not seen any other members of the crew before he was rescued.

The crew comprises 39 Filipinos, two Australians and two New Zealanders, Kyodo news agency said.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) said it was in touch with the families of the two Australians on board.

“The Australian government is providing consular assistance to the families of two Australian crew members on board a cargo vessel reported missing in Japanese waters,” Dfat said.

The cause of the distress was not immediately known, but the weather was rough in the area due to Typhoon Maysak. Strong winds and torrential rain from the typhoon had initially hampered the search operation, but the weather has improved, Higashi said.

The vessel, owned by Gulf Navigation Holding based in the United Arab Emirates, departed Napier in New Zealand on 14 August with 5,867 cattle on board, New Zealand’s foreign ministry told Reuters.

The vessel was en route to the Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China, with an estimated journey of approximately 17 days, it said.

New Zealand animal rights organisation SAFE said the tragedy demonstrated the risks of the live animal export trade.

“These cows should never have been at sea,” said campaigns manager Marianne Macdonald.

“This is a real crisis, and our thoughts are with the families of the 43 crew who are missing with the ship. But questions remain, including why this trade is allowed to continue.”

Typhoon Maysak had weakened to a tropical storm as it arrived off the east coast of North Korea on Thursday.

North Korean state TV showed flooding along the eastern coast but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The country is vulnerable to natural disasters due to its poor infrastructure, with flooding in deforested mountains and hills a particular concern.

Earlier on Thursday, the typhoon had caused brought down trees and caused flooding in parts of South Korea, knocking out power to more than 270,000 homes and leaving at least one person dead.

Reports say the Gulf Livestock 1 issued a distress signal at around 1:20 a.m. local time Wednesday (3/9/20) while around 115 miles west of Amami Oshima Island in southwestern Japan. … The ship is reported to be carrying 43 crew members.19 hours ago

Livestock Carrier with 43 Crew Goes Missing Off Japan

The Japanese Coast Guard is searching for a livestock carrier with 43 crew members on board after a distress signal was sent from the vessel on Wednesday.

Reports say the Gulf Livestock 1 issued a distress signal at around 1:20 a.m. local time Wednesday while around 115 miles west of Amami Oshima Island in southwestern Japan.

The ship is reported to be carrying 43 crew members.

The search is being conducted in the general vicinity of Typhoon Maysak, which was last reported to be packing 130 mph winds, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.

The Gulf Livestock 1 was reportedly transporting cattle from Napier, New Zealand to Tangshan, China. The vessel was built in 2002 and registered in Panama. It is owned by Dubai-based Gulf Navigation.

In late July, the Philippine Navy rendered assistance to the Gulf Livestock 1 after it lost propulsion off Balut Island in Southern Philippines. Repairs were eventually completed without incident.

Ship carrying 43 crew and almost 6,000 cattle missing in typhoon off Japan

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/03/national/freighter-missing-southwestern-japan/

A ship carrying 43 crew and nearly 6,000 cattle from New Zealand to China has capsized after losing an engine in stormy weather in the East China Sea, the only crew member rescued so far told the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Thursday.

The Gulf Livestock 1 sent a distress call from west of Amami Oshima island Wednesday as Typhoon Maysak headed through the region towards the Korean peninsula, bringing strong winds, heavy seas and drenching rains.

The JCG said it had rescued one crew member, Sareno Edvarodo, a 45-year-old chief officer from the Philippines, on Wednesday night while searching for the ship.

According to Edvarodo, the ship lost an engine before it was hit by a wave and capsized, a coastguard spokeswoman said.

When the ship capsized, crew were instructed to put on life jackets. Edvarodo told the coastguard he jumped into the water and did not see any other crew members before he was rescued.

Pictures provided by the JCG showed a person in a life jacket being hauled from choppy seas in darkness.

Three vessels, five airplanes and two divers had been deployed to continue the search, the coastguard said.

The crew included 39 people from the Philippines, two from New Zealand and two from Australia, it added.

The Philippines government said it was coordinating with Japan’s coastguard as it searched for the missing crew members ahead of another typhoon expected to hit the area.

Typhoon Haishen was already in the northwest Pacific, tracking through the East China Sea towards South Korea.

At least one person was reported killed in South Korea after Typhoon Maysak made landfall Thursday when strong winds shattered a window in the southern city of Busan.

The Gulf Livestock 1 departed Napier in New Zealand on Aug. 14 with a cargo of 5,867 cattle bound for the Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China. The journey was expected to take about 17 days, New Zealand’s foreign ministry told Reuters.

New Zealand animal rights organization SAFE said the tragedy demonstrated the risks of the live animal export trade.

“These cows should never have been at sea,” said campaigns manager Marianne Macdonald.

“This is a real crisis, and our thoughts are with the families of the 43 crew who are missing with the ship. But questions remain, including why this trade is allowed to continue.”

Last year, New Zealand’s government launched a review of the country’s live export trade, which was worth around NZ$54 million ($37 million) in 2019, after thousands of animals being exported from New Zealand and Australia died in transit.

A conditional ban on the live export of cattle was one of several options being considered, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

WAV Comment – I (Mark) have campaigned against the export of live farm animals now for around 30 years. In the past I have campaigned a lot with Phil L (see Comment in article). At the end of 2020 the UK should be free from the shuackles of the EU – taking back control; which will then allow us (as a nation) to stop live animal exports – something we have not been able to do all the time a member state of the EU. I just hope other EU membvber states follow the UK in getting out of this dinosaur which ignores all the evidence as far as live animal transport is concerned.

See more about all this export work at https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/ and how the ‘head in the sand’ EU has always ifnored us and the evidence.

Regards Mark

Photo – Irish Times.

We have never been fans of Phil Hogan – he is pro live animal exports and as the ex Agriculture Commissioner at the EU; disregarded anything that the EU Parliament did with regard to amending live animal transport regulations. 

Read more here:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/05/06/eu-meps-have-their-say-in-the-hundreds-but-in-the-end-if-commissioner-says-no-then-no-it-is/

Well now he has been forced to resign from the EU for flouting Covid regulations.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53923052

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/26/eu-trade-commissioner-phil-hogan-resigns-after-flouting-covid-rules

https://www.politico.eu/article/phil-hogan-resigns-as-eu-trade-boss-over-golfgate-scandal/

Bye Phil – take a well deserved and very very long hike – you have never done any animal any favors and as far as we are concerned you have now got your just rewards. 

We are only sorry that it took so long for people like you to get hit. 

We are sure that all the animals will be rejoicing along with us at the news today.

So go away and stay away.