Re the ‘Sarah M’ livestock carrying ship taking live Bulls from Ireland to Libya.

The vessel is due to arrive in Libya today, 8/8/20; read more on all our information at:

Note that this position below is not current now –

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/06/ireland-sarah-m-en-route-to-libya-with-2000-bulls-latest-position/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/06/eu-european-commission-accused-of-gross-cynicism-toward-farmed-animal-welfare/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/02/ireland-peta-are-now-on-board-re-irish-live-exports-to-libya-please-sign-the-petition-and-crosspost-to-contacts/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/01/ireland-around-2000-bull-cattle-currently-being-shipped-to-libya-for-slaughter-learn-more-about-ship-hunting/

This is the latest position (8/8/20) information that we have:

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/SARAH-M-IMO-7808463-MMSI-352548000

As you can see from this link, the ‘Sarah M’ livestock carrier was constructed in 1979 – 41 years ago !

It is currently registered in Panama; which we do not think is No1 in the world when it comes to crews being aware of EU live animal transport regulations – which is the case here as the vessel has sailed from Ireland; and existing EU member state.

This shipment from Ireland to Libya has been organised by the Purcell Brothers and Curzon Livestock.

The shipment puts the total number of Irish animals exported to Libya this year at about 7,600. In 2019, according to emailed data from Ireland’s Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine (DAFM), cattle exports to Libya totalled 13,122 animals.

Two of the companies known to ship cattle from Ireland to Libya are Purcell Brothers and Curzon Livestock. Neither responded to calls, texts, or emails asking for comment. No comment was provided either by the European Commission.

Here is a link to the Purcell Brothers site –  https://purcellbrothers.com/

And here is a link to the Curzon Livestock site – http://www.curzonlivestock.com/

Contact details Curzon –  http://www.curzonlivestock.com/contact.html

Contact Purcell – https://purcellbrothers.com/contact

We can do nothing to help the animals on this vessel.  It seems that they have now arrived at their destination and will be unloaded and headed off for ritual slaughter very soon.

In May this year, a letter from over 30 welfare organizations to EU Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, and EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, called for a ban on animal exports to Libya. Commissioner Kyriakides is charged with enforcing animal welfare laws.

Libya has been in chaos since 2011. The NGO letter argues that animals in Libya risk missile fire, the potential use of chemical weapons, and the possibility of COVID-19-related quarantines at anchorage, potentially adding an extra 14 days to any journey. From Ireland, livestock ships take about nine days to reach Libya. The animals’ eventual slaughter, the letter said, likely entails “extreme and prolonged pain and fear.”

The Commission’s response to the NGOs, which came in a letter last week, has sparked outrage. “The Commission’s reply is a disgrace,” says Compassion in World Farming lawyer, Peter Stevenson. The letter, he said, shows “gross cynicism” and is surprising and disappointing given Commissioner Kyriakides’ “personal commitment to animal welfare.” 

“Her letter says exports to Libya are taking place in a context of private operations and that the Commission cannot prevent such operations as long as they are carried out in accordance with EU legislation. With respect to the Commissioner, this is nonsense,” Stevenson said. 

“One of the key roles of the Commission and the EU member states is to regulate what private operators do, either through legislation or policy frameworks,” Stevenson said. Sending animals on long sea journeys to a war zone is “clearly at odds” with Article 13 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union which stipulates the Commission and member states pay full regard to animal welfare, he said.

Continue reading at  https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/06/eu-european-commission-accused-of-gross-cynicism-toward-farmed-animal-welfare/

We (WAV) and sister site SAV – read and see lots more here about our live export investigation work https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/  have always said that the EU are complete and utter junk when it comes to protecting live animals during transport.  This is despite their Regulation 1/2005 which is supposed to ‘protect’ live animals during transport.

In our opinion, and that of most other NGO’s and animal welfare organisations; the EU regulation for the ‘protection’ of animals during transport is worth less than the paper it is written on.

I will leave you to review the facts given, and to make your own decisions on animal transport.

Regards Mark – Kent, England

You can run but you cannot hide !

Gonna take my time – I have all the time in the world (to fight this disgusting, abusive trade)

Regards Mark

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/SARAH-M-IMO-7808463-MMSI-352548000

Read More at:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/06/eu-european-commission-accused-of-gross-cynicism-toward-farmed-animal-welfare/

 

Our past related information:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/02/ireland-peta-are-now-on-board-re-irish-live-exports-to-libya-please-sign-the-petition-and-crosspost-to-contacts/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/02/ireland-peta-are-now-on-board-re-irish-live-exports-to-libya-please-sign-the-petition-and-crosspost-to-contacts/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/02/ireland-peta-are-now-on-board-re-irish-live-exports-to-libya-please-sign-the-petition-and-crosspost-to-contacts/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/02/ireland-peta-are-now-on-board-re-irish-live-exports-to-libya-please-sign-the-petition-and-crosspost-to-contacts/

European Commission Accused of “Gross Cynicism” Toward Farmed Animal Welfare

Advocates are calling for a ban on live animal exports to war-torn Libya, where missile fire threatens animals arriving on cargo ships from Ireland. But welfare officials continue to drag their feet.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have accused the European Commission of “gross cynicism” and questioned its refusal to ban the export of live animals to war-torn Libya, thousands of which come from Ireland.

Last week, Ireland’s fourth shipment this year left the southern Irish port of Cork, headed for the Libyan port of Misratah, with about 2,000 bulls on board.

The shipment puts the total number of Irish animals exported to Libya this year at about 7,600. In 2019, according to emailed data from Ireland’s Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine (DAFM), cattle exports to Libya totaled 13,122 animals.

Two of the companies known to ship cattle from Ireland to Libya are Purcell Brothers and Curzon Livestock. Neither responded to calls, texts, or emails asking for comment. No comment was provided either by the European Commission.

In May this year, a letter from over 30 welfare organizations to EU Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, and EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, called for a ban on animal exports to Libya. Commissioner Kyriakides is charged with enforcing animal welfare laws.

Libya has been in chaos since 2011. The NGO letter argues that animals in Libya risk missile fire, the potential use of chemical weapons, and the possibility of COVID-19-related quarantines at anchorage, potentially adding an extra 14 days to any journey. From Ireland, livestock ships take about nine days to reach Libya. The animals’ eventual slaughter, the letter said, likely entails “extreme and prolonged pain and fear.”

The Commission’s response to the NGOs, which came in a letter last week, has sparked outrage. “The Commission’s reply is a disgrace,” says Compassion in World Farming lawyer, Peter Stevenson. The letter, he said, shows “gross cynicism” and is surprising and disappointing given Commissioner Kyriakides’ “personal commitment to animal welfare.” 

“Her letter says exports to Libya are taking place in a context of private operations and that the Commission cannot prevent such operations as long as they are carried out in accordance with EU legislation. With respect to the Commissioner, this is nonsense,” Stevenson said. 

“One of the key roles of the Commission and the EU member states is to regulate what private operators do, either through legislation or policy frameworks,” Stevenson said. Sending animals on long sea journeys to a war zone is “clearly at odds” with Article 13 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union which stipulates the Commission and member states pay full regard to animal welfare, he said.

Records from three previous Irish shipments this year show animals have died en route to Libya. In May, during a shipment by Purcell Brothers onboard the Atlantic M, four animals died, with the ship’s records showing the cause of death as “(POOR AND SKINNY) PNEUMONIA [sic].” The ships’ records were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

In March, during a shipment by Curzon Livestock on the Sarah M (also known as the Sarah), animals began to die mid-voyage due to a “respiratory problem.” Six died in total. During a January shipment, again by Curzon Livestock on the Sarah M, one animal died from a respiratory problem. Records indicate the bull was sick from the start of the journey. Sick animals are not supposed to travel.

Asked about the deaths, Stevenson said it was likely “many more animals may well have suffered from respiratory disease even though they did not die. Respiratory problems are likely to arise from poor conditions on board ship—a combination of high ammonia levels and inadequate ventilation.”

“It is disheartening to see that for the sake of profit, EU member states continue to send animals to war zones and the European Commission feels that they cannot put an end to this cruel trade,” says Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU. “What is taking place in regions of conflict, such as Libya, constitutes systematic and continued cruelty against EU farmed animals. These are not some unfortunate events, they are not the exception but, rather, the rule.”

Caroline Rowley, founder of Irish welfare organization Ethical Farming Ireland, voiced similar skepticism about the Commission’s reply. “It’s not possible for the Commissioner to claim that live export to Libya is ‘carried out in accordance with EU legislation’ because, for one thing, as soon as cattle are unloaded at the port [in Libya], nobody knows what happens to them.”

Rowley said she saw irony too in the Commission’s reply, coming as it does in the run-up to a European Parliamentary inquiry into the “alleged failure of the Commission to act upon the evidence of serious and systematic infringements” of EU animal welfare regulations during transport “across the Union and to third countries.” The inquiry was launched this summer and begins work in September.

Rowley pointed as well to issues with one of the livestock ships used by Ireland. “There are questions hanging over the Sarah M because it is approved by two EU member states, Romania and Ireland, when it should only be approved by one.”

In emailed replies, Ireland’s DAFM said it was “working with other MS’s [member states] to resolve the [double approvals] issue as soon as possible which is of an administrative nature.” The DAFM said the double approval did not affect its ability to “regulate, enforce national and EU legislation” or its ability to check, inspect and monitor livestock vessels. Nor, it said, would the double approval impact animal welfare.

In July, the French department of agriculture (Ministère de l’Alimentation, de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche) confirmed that a similar double approval by France and Spain for livestock carrier, Shua Queen II, was recently resolved by France canceling its approval.

Asked about the deaths during the voyage to Libya, DAFM said: “The Department has a continuous and strong interest in the welfare of animals and engages with the livestock industries with the objective of improving animal health and welfare and thus reducing the mortality rate of animals. Whilst some deaths do unfortunately occur during transport, the mortality rate across the three shipments you mention was 0.19 percent, which is significantly less than the comparable cohort that remains on [the] farm.”

The DAFM added that the “export of animals is a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry … [and] … plays a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers.”

“The EU must realize that unless to stop such immense animal suffering, we cannot be calling ourselves leaders in animal welfare,” says Kikou.

Our recent posts associated with this shipment:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/12/05/ireland-video-2000-irish-cattle-being-loaded-for-live-export-and-ritual-slaughter-in-libya/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/07/26/ireland-sending-live-animals-to-libya-a-war-zone-may-breach-eu-welfare-laws-does-the-eu-care-probably-not/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/08/01/ireland-around-2000-bull-cattle-currently-being-shipped-to-libya-for-slaughter-learn-more-about-ship-hunting/

Now that Peta have taken this up, hopefully we will see some action.

There is a petition to the Irish Minister regarding the exports to Libya – we hope you can sign and pass on to all your contacts.

Update 2/8/20:  Irish cattle to Libya – take action and send message to the Irish Minister.

Right now, about 2,000 bulls are being shipped from Ireland to Libya on a harrowing nine-day journey. When they arrive, they’ll endure slaughter so gruesome it would be illegal in their home country.

This misery must end. Let’s join forces to stop the cruel live-export industry:

Petition link:

https://secure.peta.org.uk/page/30285/action/1?utm_source=PETA%20UK::E-Mail&utm_medium=Alert&utm_campaign=0820::veg::PETA%20UK::E-Mail::Irish%20live%20export::::aa%20em&ea.url.id=4845586&forwarded=true

During live export, frightened animals are forced onto crowded lorries or ships and transported for days or even weeks to foreign abattoirs.

When they reach these facilities, they’re often killed in gruesome ways that would be illegal in their home country.

In 2019, over 200,000 cows were forced to make the long, harrowing journey from Ireland to continental Europe, sometimes in temperatures of up to 41.5 degrees. Close to 8,000 more were sent on even longer, tortuous journeys to destinations with vastly different or non-existent animal welfare laws, including Kazakhstan, Libya, and Turkey. This figure has increased by over 50% in 2020.

As many of you will know; live animal transport is a main hate of ours.

In the recent past we have tracked (daily) vessels taking live animals from Romania to the Middle East –

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/09/04/nightmare-comes-true-for-romanian-sheep-exported-to-the-gulf/  and

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/07/26/26-7-19-romanian-sheep-carrier-vessel-latest-position/

Rather than concentrate on one vessel sailing with live suffering animals for WEEKS on end; this time we have picked a relatively shorter journey.  It is from EU Ireland to War torn Libya, North Africa.  The particular sailing we have picked is sadly just one of dozens which are taking place the world over at this very moment – live animals being abused by being forced to undertake journeys which usually result in a terrible death for them; and we see no alternative in this for the Irish bulls currently sailing to Libya.

We at WAV reported on this specific shipment a few weeks ago: https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/07/26/ireland-sending-live-animals-to-libya-a-war-zone-may-breach-eu-welfare-laws-does-the-eu-care-probably-not/

We have chosen this sailing as it has achieved a little more attention in the past few weeks; before it commenced.  Basically, in summary, this shipment of 2,000 bulls could contravene EU welfare regulations, campaigners and others say.

Animal welfare groups have warned that a shipment of young bulls from Ireland to Libya could contravene live export laws.

The shipment, which consists of around 2,000 bulls, would be the fourth this year from Ireland. The vessel in question very recently left from the port of Cork in south-west Ireland, destined for the Libyan port of Misurata.

The news of the sailing came as a European parliament committee of inquiry, announced last month, and began to look into alleged failures to enforce EU rules on protecting transported animals across the EU and beyond, and “to act upon the evidence that EU rules on moving live animals across the EU and to third countries are being seriously and systematically infringed”.  Libya is not an EU member state and is thus a ‘third country’.

Here is a link which you can read relating to an Irish agriculture bulletin regarding this actual latest shipment:

https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/pics-loading-2000-bulls-bound-for-libya-in-co-cork/

Note that there are heaps of praise (as the Irish ag industry would expect) for the Irish ministry who supervised the loading of the animals at Cork; but nothing is said whatsoever about the circumstances the animals will endure when they arrive in Libya; or the way in which they will be slaughtered.  Very much a one side of the fence report as we have expected and seen from the European ag industry over the years.

Here below we are giving out a few extra links which we have / currently use at WAV to enable us to track livestock shipments at sea anywhere in the world.  You may want to learn from us how to be a ‘livestock ship detective’ which may help with your complaints etc to authority should you make them.

First; here are some photos of the vessel o this consignment, named the ‘Sarah M’.

https://www.vesselfinder.com/gallery?imo=7808463

and here is a link which provides much more about the vessel (Sarah M) and the particular sailing:  Lots of info here – arrival date, port, ship MO / MMSI etc.

Vesselfinder.com is a good site which is open to use for the public.  Knowing how to use it for maximum information obtain is something which can only be gained by use / experience.

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/SARAH-M-IMO-7808463-MMSI-352548000

What a surprise we don’t think – the vessel is registered in Panama and carries the

IMO / MMSI

7808463 / 352548000

For information:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) number is a unique identifier for ships, registered ship owners and management companies. IMO numbers were introduced to improve maritime safety and security and to reduce maritime fraud. They consist of the three letters “IMO” followed by unique seven-digit numbers, assigned under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).^[1][2]

The IMO number scheme has been mandatory for all ships since 1996. The number identifies a ship and does not change when the ship’s owner, country of registry or name changes. The ship’s certificates must also bear the IMO number. Since 1 July 2004, passenger ships are also required to carry the marking on a horizontal surface visible from the air.

Digital radio identification code for marine stations

A Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a series of nine digits which are sent in digital form over a radio frequency channel in order to uniquely identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast stations, coast earth stations, and group calls. These identities are formed in such a way that the identity or part thereof can be used by telephone and telex subscribers connected to the general telecommunications network to call ships automatically.

The Irish do not publish this info in magazines; rusty old ships registered in god knows where; and crewed by a group of delinquents who know as much about animal welfare as the grass in my garden !

I hope the links give you an insight into our investigation world and you can even start tracking the vessel given the links and info we have provided.

As you an see from the info provided at  https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/SARAH-M-IMO-7808463-MMSI-352548000  the ship is expected to dock in Misurata at around 0800hrs on 8/8/20.  We are keeping track and hope you will.

Happy ship hunting !

Regards Mark.

eid sheep slaughter – Google Search

WAV Comment – I (Mark) have been involved with work against the live animal trade for nearly 30 years now.  I think that I have seen a lot of the abuses associated with this business over those years.  Got the T shirt and all that !

At the moment in England; we really only have the live trade going out of Ramsgate, which is a port here in my home county of Kent.  Kent is the nearest county to mainland Europe, with very regular ferry services to the continent.  Fortunately, due to excellent and very long, hard campaigning over many years; we managed to get all the major ferry operators (sailing from UK to Europe) to stop carrying live animals (for slaughter) on their ships.  The only service which really operates sporadically now is from Ramsgate port by the Dutchman named Onderwater.  He has been operating for a few weeks now; taking British sheep into Europe for ritual slaughter in relation to Eid.  See the message below from Lyn at Animals Australia about this also.

See these links for more info /history relating to Onderwater:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/08/05/england-the-onderwater-facts-from-campaigner-jane/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2018/11/27/england-dutchman-onderwater-exports-scottish-calves-from-ramsgate-plus-more-info/

Mr Onderwater runs a Dutch registered company called Onderwater Agneaux BV. He pleaded guilty on behalf of his company at Folkestone magistrates’ court on 5 July 2010 to six offences of not displaying any sign on his vehicles indicating the presence of live animals contrary to article 6(c) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 and article 6(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. The prosecutor was the trading standards department of Kent county council.

And here we are in 2020 with a convicted criminal still taking live British sheep into Europe for ritual slaughter.  As with all politicians; the CAWG bleats on about how terrible things are for sheep to be exported from Ramsgate; and yet they are the political party with a big majority in government who could act to stop the trade and change it now.  Instead they do nothing and continually go on about how terrible it all is.  Yes it is terrible; so CAWG, get off your butts and do something to get your party, the Conservatives; to stop the trade.  If they don’t take action and instead just simply bleat on; then you have to ask what they really exists for ?

Here below is the message from Lyn; it is happening in England right now due to an ineffective CAWG and a useless Conservative government and animal ‘welfare’ group.  Boris Johnson specialises in talking the talk; but fails when it comes to doing anything. Once out of Europe blah blah blah; nothing changes thanks to him.

eid sheep slaughter – Google Search

eid sheep slaughter – Google Search

---

Mark,

Tomorrow is the start of Eid al-Adha, the annual ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ — one of the most lucrative times of the year for the global live export industry and, sadly, one of the peak times of suffering for animals.

Animals from Australia, Europe and South America have been exported to the Festival. It is the companies and countries that supplied these animals that bear the weight of moral responsibility for what lies ahead for them in coming days.

For some 15 years now, Animals Australia has had investigators on the ground during the Festival to document the final moments of animals, so that we have evidence to call these countries and companies to account. This year will be no different.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 border closures, we will have investigators working across eight countries in South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Our in-country work over many years has enabled us to forge invaluable relationships and friendships with local advocates and investigators who share our desire to see an end to the live export trade. They will be actively operating under our coordination during the Festival.

Already our investigators’ work has paid ‘dividends’, with the lodging of evidence to the Australian regulator revealing Australian sheep being sold outside of approved supply chains in Kuwait. We know all too well what this blatant breach of exporters’ responsibilities would have meant for these animals — transport in car boots in suffocating heat and a prolonged and painful death.

This complaint reveals once again that without independent oversight, Australian live export regulations can be easily circumvented. And once again, without our investigators being active, the Department of Agriculture would be none the wiser that breaches of their regulations were occurring.

Having witnessed the treatment of animals during so many Festivals of Sacrifice, I can report that the one small mercy we will see this year, is reduced suffering. This is because COVID-19 restrictions are dramatically reducing street sales and slaughter across all affected countries. As a result, we don’t know exactly what our teams will find, but thanks to you they will be there.

As you can imagine, investigation work is highly risky for those who must live and work in the same regions, but these advocates’ bravery is driven by their collective desire to see all animals treated humanely and with compassion.

I wish you could have come to know these advocates and investigators as I have. I am so very grateful to these incredible men and women who care so deeply for animals. They are the agents for change in their countries. Their desire for kindness and compassion to be extended to all beings is no different to our own.

And of course, I’m so grateful for your support that means these investigators can be where they need to be, equipped and ready. We speak to them of the critical support that you provide that enables these investigations. Please know that they draw strength from you, and other caring people, who they know will be with them in spirit in coming days.

Thank you, as always, for making our work possible — this year more than ever.

For the animals,

Lyn White AM Animals Australia

Germany:

Brandenburg suspends live transport to third countries

27 July 2020

News

Until the allegations are clarified, the Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Teltow-Fläming and Prignitz districts will no longer handle cattle transport to third countries. That was coordinated with the Ministry of Consumer Protection.

The media and animal welfare organizations once again highlighted grievances in long animal transports to third countries. 

Minister of Consumer Protection Ursula Nonnemacher said: “We will not ignore these grievances. Animal transport can only be carried out if absolutely necessary and if it is carried out in compliance with the requirements of the animal transport law. We must finally end animal suffering. Transport companies must demonstrably ensure animal welfare during transport. Otherwise, animal transport is not possible.”

Brandenburg already tightened the requirement for the handling of long, cross-border animal transports in March of the year. “We will continue to increase the requirements for the plausibility check for handling animal transports using the options available to us, without having any legislative competence in the country,” said Nonnemacher .

https://vegnews.com/2020/7/carnation-to-launch-vegan-condensed-milk-in-uk

CARNATION TO LAUNCH VEGAN CONDENSED MILK IN UK

After 18 months in development, Carnation releases a new oat- and rice-based vegan condensed milk made especially for use in pie, fudge, and cheesecake. 

by ANNA STAROSTINETSKAYA

In September, dairy brand Carnation will release a vegan version of its condensed milk at supermarket chain Ocado in the United Kingdom.

The new product will retail for slightly more than its animal-based counterpart and was created to be used in baking for “an extra fudgy flavour and texture to banoffee pie, fudge, brownies, and cheesecake.”  

Carnation parent company Nestlé developed the new vegan condensed milk, made with oat and rice flour, over the course of 18 months. “It has been a challenge for vegans to find suitable alternatives to make dairy or caramel-based sweets treats or desserts, without having to compromise on taste, texture, or appearance,” Vittoria Simms, Nestlé Marketing Lead for Dairy Brands UK, told The Grocer.  

The new vegan Carnation condensed milk will also be available at Tesco and Morrisons supermarkets in October.

Please do NOT give your support to this abuse below by doing dairy: there are now dozens of vegan cruelty free milk alternatives.

It is a disgusting, dirty, animal abusing business – been there and got the T shirt. Read more at:

About Us.

Regards Mark

WAV Comment:

Excellent report by the ‘Guardian’ (UK national press) as always:  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/24/sending-animals-to-war-zones-irish-cattle-export-to-libya-may-breach-laws

Phil Hogan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Hogan  was the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development between 2014 and 2019. 

He is PRO live animal exports; and with his position at the EU, we would go as far as to say he (Illegally for his position) promoted Irish farming – something any Commissioner of the EU should NOT be allowed to do.

What do commissioner do?

Commissioners are given a portfolio which is their area of responsibility. It is up to the President of the Commission to decide which commissioner will be responsible for each policy area/portfolio and to change these responsibilities (if necessary) during the Commission’s term of office. Commissioners act independently in the interests of the EU. They do not represent the interests of their own Member State.

Source Ref –  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/european_government/eu_institutions/european_commission.html#l8b20b

https://www.thejournal.ie/phil-hogan-love-exports-texts-1978127-Mar2015/   –   The Commissioner began his response by telling the woman that he would not be “bullied by 500 text messages I’ve got on my phone during the course of the day on animal farming and animal welfare issues”.

“If you think that will work with me you can certainly forget about it. That’s a campaigning tool that should be well gotten rid of at this stage.”

————————————-

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/24/sending-animals-to-war-zones-irish-cattle-export-to-libya-may-breach-laws

‘Sending animals to war zones’: Irish cattle export to Libya may breach laws

Next week’s planned shipment of 2,000 bulls could contravene EU welfare regulations, campaigners say

Animal welfare groups have warned that an upcoming shipment of young bulls from Ireland to Libya could contravene live export laws.

The shipment, which is expected to consist of 2,000 bulls, would be the fourth this year from Ireland. It is set to leave on Wednesday next week from the port of Cork in south-west Ireland. Previous shipments of livestock have arrived in the Libyan port of Misrata.

The news comes as a European parliament committee of inquiry, announced last month, begins to look into alleged failures to enforce EU rules on protecting transported animals across the EU and beyond, and “to act upon the evidence that EU rules on moving live animals across the EU and to third countries are being seriously and systematically infringed”.

NGOs objected to live animal exports to Libya in a recent letter to the European commission and EU agriculture council. The country has been in chaos since the Arab spring uprisings and a Nato bombing campaign that toppled its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011.

Animals have died on previous shipments to Libya from Ireland, a voyage of about nine days. Caroline Rowley, founder of Irish welfare organisation Ethical Farming Ireland, said she believed the Libya shipments breached several regulations including (EC) No 1/2005, which covers the protection of animals during transport and related operations, the European communities (protection of animals during transport) regulations 2006 and Ireland’s 2013. Animal Health and Welfare Act. All say animals must not be treated or transported in a way likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering.

“Sending livestock on a long sea journey, where there will be illness, injuries and fatalities, to a country in a state of chaos and lawlessness is unacceptable,” Rowley said.

Olga Kikou, head of Compassion in World Farming EU, said the shipment also appeared to contravene the treaty on the functioning of the EU, with regard to welfare and the security situation in Libya.

The treaty states that “since animals are sentient beings” full regard must be paid to their welfare requirements “while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the member states”.

“The EU should not be sending animals to war zones, it would be impossible to guarantee even the most basic level of protection there. This cannot happen for humans, and it is certain that for animals it would be even worse,” Kikou said.

Ireland has exported a reported 5,647 cattle to Libya this year, up from 4,211 in the same period last year. The total for 2019 was 13,122 animals.

The Irish government says live export within the EU and beyond is a “vital component” of its livestock industry, increasing competition and boosting animal prices. The latest available figures show live exports earned the country more than €458m (£417m) in 2019.

Responding to the claims its live exports to Libya breached regulations, Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said in an email it was “satisfied that exports are not in contravention of Article 13 and that journeys certified for export are done in compliance with EU legislation” and in “full compliance with the legislative requirements of EU Regulation No 1 of 2005”.

The DAFM email added that the mortality rate over the three previous shipments to Libya this year was 0.19% and said the date of the upcoming shipment had already been delayed to “late next week dependant on several factors including weather conditions”.

Regards Mark