LEGAL BATTLE AGAINST THE DEATH SHIP

 

On Friday, 4 October 2019, sorrow and anguish filled the harbour as Inspectors from the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) and SPCAs watched the last sheep being loaded onto the Al-Shuwaikh vessel, along with an estimated 57 000 other sheep destined for the Middle East for inhumane slaughter. There were inspectors monitoring the loading at the feedlot and on the harbour for the entire process.

Inspectors on the feedlot and the harbour worked tirelessly from the early morning until late at night monitoring the loading of these sheep on 1 and 2 October 2019, finally working a 27 hour shift on 3 October 2019 until the morning of 4 October 2019 when the last sheep was loaded.

“We were standing on the harbour after a final inspection of the vessel was undertaken, the atmosphere and sheer devastation was suffocating, we all knew what it meant for the sheep on board. However, the evidence collected over the last four days will protect millions of animals from ever being loaded onto these death ships in the future” said Meg Wilson of the NSPCA.

Dr Molefe, the Director of Veterinary Public Health of the Department of Agriculture, accompanied the NSPCA’s veterinarian and a Senior Inspector on an inspection of the vessel on 3 October 2019. Dr Molefe appeared to be horrified at the conditions on board the ship, including dangerously high ammonia levels on some of the decks, parasitic conditions including faeces in food and water troughs, among other serious concerns, this was only on day 2.5 of the loading – the sheep still have to endure these worsening conditions for their entire journey. Curiously, later that day, two veterinarians from the provincial government department undertook an inspection and advised our inspectors that nothing was wrong.

At the insistence of Al Mawashi, the loading process continued throughout the night of 3 October 2019. The NSPCA appealed to the provincial government representatives to put a stop to the loading as animals were being manhandled as a result of exhausted handlers and the dark conditions but the intransigent government officials stood by and did nothing.

The NSPCA called upon Dr Shawn Morris, an experienced veterinarian and feedlot expert in South Africa, to attend an inspection of the loading site on the harbour, as well as the vessel itself following the NSPCA’s horrific findings on board the vessel and during the loading process.

“Having had an opportunity to attend the unloading on the Al-Shuwaikh on Thursday evening and having been granted access to the vessel itself, it was evident that the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s (DALRRD) lack of concern and more importantly, their absence at the loading point as well as on the vessel (save for short periods of time) is of serious concern”, said Dr Morris, “I would describe the role of DALRRD as nothing more than window dressing”.

The NSPCA asked Dr Morris to describe this shipment, and others like it, using one word, his response was “disaster”.

The only authority in attendance during the entire loading operation at both the feedlot and on the harbour was the NSPCA, with the assistance of Eastern Cape SPCAs, whose personnel, including their veterinarian worked around the clock to ensure that no sick, injured or lame animals were loaded, clearly a role that should have been fulfilled by DALRRD veterinarians – especially if welfare was a primary concern.

“Our authorities, in my opinion, have not given enough thought and consideration to the problem at hand and have certainly not applied their minds when it comes to the welfare of the animals” explained Dr Morris, “the authorities, in this instance, DALRRD, who have the powers vested on them should do the right thing and not simply turn a blind eye when it comes to animal welfare.”

The NSPCA will be laying charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 against the South African Government, including the Provincial Government, as well as animal cruelty charges, assault charges and multiple charges of obstruction against the personnel that handled the animals inhumanely, those that assaulted and hindered NSPCA Inspectors from fulfilling their duties, and personnel of Al Mawashi who have a registered company in South Africa.

Furthermore, the NSPCA will take the necessary legal action to ensure that there is an end to the unacceptable and unnecessary cruelty involved in the live export trade.

“Seeing the suffering of these sheep even before their departure, and watching the Al-Shuwaikh depart has been heart breaking, but it has also affirmed our determination.  We may have lost this battle – but we have not lost the war. We will do everything in our power to ensure that no animal is ever loaded on board these death ships again” said Wilson.

 

 

https://nspca.co.za/news/legal-battle-against-the-death-ship/

 

LEGAL BATTLE AGAINST THE DEATH SHIP

Ship transporting 60,000 sheep on journey of death gets ‘clean bill of health’

 

The sheep are doomed to spend three weeks at sea in squalid conditions should a live export permit be granted, and many will not make it out alive.

The Al Shuwaikh livestock vessel destined for Kuwait, which has docked in East London for the past few days awaiting shipping 60,000 sheep onto it has been given a clean bill of health, according to Dispatch Live.

It was earlier reported that a permit had already been granted, but has since been corrected to reflect that this is only expected to take place later this week, department of rural development and agrarian reform spokesperson Ayongezwa Lungisa told Dispatch Live on Monday.

Lungisa says veterinarians are expected to be inspect the sheep for diseases and vaccinations before the Al Shuwaikh heads for Kuwait. If this is in order, a live export permit is expected to be granted.

The sheep are doomed to spend three weeks at sea in squalid conditions, and many will not make it out alive.

Al Mawashi, the livestock transport and trading company facilitating the live export, ironically claims that it does not tolerate poor treatment of livestock in any part of its supply chain.

However, in November 2017 during a voyage on the Al Shuwaikh, an average of 37 animals died each day onboard the ship. In June 2018, an average of 20 animals died per day on a 30-day voyage, and in September 2018, 659 deaths were recorded on a 24-day voyage.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) urged both government and the public to reconsider the shipment.

The permit being granted has hit them and other animal rights organisations hard.

In a statement, the NSPCA details the gruesome conditions the sheep will face on the ship.

“Onboard this ship, they will be crammed so tightly that many will not be able to lie down and rest. For three weeks, they will stand, with limited access to food and water, and some will have no access at all … They will be forced to stand in their own excrement, wearing what is called “faecal jackets”.

Marcelle Meredith, NSPCA executive director, said: “The South African government have the power to stop this shipment, they have a responsibility to ensure that welfare is a primary concern, especially in light of our success in the high court recently with regards to permitting issues and welfare considerations.”

In a damning statement, the NSPCA has slammed the company’s blatant hypocrisy, pointing to claims that they operate transparently.

The NSPCA continues to advocate that live export by sea for slaughter purposes is unethical, unnecessary, and unacceptable.

According to Animals Australia, over 100,000 litres of urine and faeces accumulate on a trip like this each day the sheep are onboard.

This combined with the Middle East’s high temperatures results in sheep being unable to regulate their own body temperatures causing heatstroke. This, the statement reads, literally results in sheep being “cooked alive” while in oven-like temperatures.

Waste build-up makes it dangerous for the sheep to lie down, as they risk being buried alive, and ammonia from their excrement often leads to respiratory infections, and burning eyes and throats.

“All this mixed with disease, overcrowding, pneumonia, motion sickness, physical trauma and injuries, and stress, creates the perfect environment for excruciating suffering, and many animals will die in transit.”

The fate of those that survive the journey is not good either – they will face “inhumane handling” before being violently slaughtered while they are still alive.

Carte Blanche screened horrifying footage of the live export trade on Sunday evening, with the video still making the rounds on social media.

The NSPCA hoped their online petition would encourage government to reconsider the shipment.

“South Africa must take a stand against this abhorrent and unnecessary practice and rather export packaged meat, which not only ensures that animals do not suffer unnecessarily, but helps the country’s struggling economy.”

Those who wish to make a donation to the NSPCA can do so by clicking here.

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/news-update/2181849/ship-transporting-60000-sheep-on-journey-of-death-gets-clean-bill-of-health/

 

 

28/9/19 – The news today is positive – ‘Animal Welfare’ is the big issue at the Conservative party conference.

Here in the UK at the moment; we have a Conservative (Party) government. This weekend and into next week is the Conservative party conference; where the ‘table is laid’ about their proposals for the near future. We are very pleased to say that in both the last DEFRA Minister, Michael Gove; and the current minister, Theresa Villiers; we have very animal welfare friendly people. Theresa has always been a big player in the ban for live animal exports. This is reflected in the new manifesto paper released today which outlines the changes which we could see in the future under a Conservative government.

 Theresa Villiers – Anti Live Export Minister.

 

Here below is a copy of the released paper:

 

More press news:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/brexit-live-exports-slaughter-transport-animals-ban-tories-boris-johnson-a9123911.html

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/28/tory-green-agenda-criticised-lack-focus-climate-crisis-theresa-villiers-conference

https://news.sky.com/story/every-pet-cat-to-be-micro-chipped-under-conservative-plans-11821487

 

Whilst we at WAV welcome many of the initiatives set out in the paper; after all we are an animal welfare / rights organisation; we do have concerns that some issues are still not covered; including a reduction of animals being used in experiments; and failures to promote protection for drastically needed animals such as bees, butterflies and hedgehogs. Nothing has also been said about the culling of badgers; which is currently taking place under this same government.

But we do very much welcome the wording regarding a ban on the live export of animals; which is something we have been campaigning for (for) over 30 years; and which as a nation we are against; but unable to implement all the time we are an EU member state. We, as a group; did say a long time ago that if the UK was able to break free from the shackles of the EU, we could take back our own national control; and go for a live export ban. It seems that we have been listened to finally.

 

Under the proposals; the UK could see:

 

• Protection of farm animal welfare standards – that animal products sold in the UK come only from animals raised to UK standards or higher.

 

• The end of cages – phasing out of intensive cage systems by the end of the next parliament; supporting farmers who make the transition away from cage systems.

 

• Mandatory labelling of all meat – the public will be given information on how animals were raised and slaughtered; enabling them to make a choice on what they buy.

 

• The end of live animal exports from the UK for both further fattening and slaughter.

 

• The introduction of a new law to recognise that all animals are sentient beings; and by going further than EU legislation, it will allow the government and ministers to take animal sentience into account when making lawful decisions on legislation.

 

• Teaching animal welfare to children as part of the national curriculum. Children have a natural affinity with animals; so they will be taught about their needs, sentience, and requirements needed in order to respect and protect them.

 

• Banning the import of all Foie Gras products into UK, once we leave the EU.

 

• A focus on subsidising farmers and rewarding them financially if they adopt higher animal welfare standards and end cruel practices such as debeaking and the killing of male calves; the by product of a cruel dairy industry, along with the killing of male chicks at birth by the egg industry.

 

• Opposing the resumption of commercial whaling; as is currently supported by the UK.

 

• Seeking measures to end the terrible business of shark finning.

 

• Legislate to improve fish welfare, at production, handling and slaughter.

 

• A free vote on non-stun slaughter; and labelling of food to identify how an animal was killed – stun or no stun; enabling the public purchaser to make the choice of what they buy.

 

Myself campaigning at Dover port against the export of young male dairy calves to Europe for intensive systems.

 

A British  Veal Calf is Restrained in an EU Veal Crate – now that’s worth fighting for !

(see photo above and video below)

 

The ‘Animal Cruelty Investigation Group’ (ACIG – England) follow British Calves to the Netherlands.

 

 

The woman behind my respect for animals – my mum (right) with Virginia McKenna of Born Free Foundation.

 

After some 40+ years of being a voice for animals, all of the above is very welcome news. Naturally there are other issues that we still have to work on; but hey; main issue at the Conservative conference; 15 years ago ‘animal welfare’ was not even really spoken about.

In Brussels, Belgium, EU HQ – a long, long time ago !

In the Netherlands with CIWF – European tour against intensive farming systems.

 

Today is a good positive sign for me; that my 40+ years of campaigning have not been wasted. Finally our voices are being heard where it matters by the people who are able to make the changes we ask for. The changes will not happen in the next week, but some of them could be underway by the time hopefully we get out of the useless EU by the end of this year.

Thanks to the tenacity of many excellent folk I have campaigned with over the years; sadly some of whom are not around now to hear this; I am tonight thinking back at them and remembering what they did to be a voice for animals.

 

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/04/25/england-another-terrible-loss-john-callaghan/ 

 

 

Mike Tucker – Live Export Campaign hero  – sadly no longer with us.

 

Tonight I am thinking and hoping that the 40+ years I have campaigned for animals, will move on in the near future to even better things. Finally we are being listed to.   I also want to send respect and good luck to Greta with her environmental campaigning; she has done wonders with the global support of many activists.

She and her ideas and recommendations are the future; not those of the ignorant ‘Trumps’ of this world.

 

This is worth a read – with some great photos:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7513303/Greta-Thunberg-hits-people-want-silence-us.html

 

Regards Mark

 

 

 

 

Hi all

Regarding the issue of the 70,000 live sheep exported from Romania to the Middle East recently, which we covered on a daily basis; we then raised the issue with EU MEP’s as to what injunctions were going to be taken by the EU against Romania.

You can read our letter here:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/09/06/england-wav-now-write-to-europe-regarding-romanian-sheep-and-animal-carrying-box-trailers/

… well, a few weeks on and we had NO replies from anyone – no real surprise to us, but a reflection of the system in the EU. So we wrote again:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/09/15/15-9-wav-letter-to-meps-re-romanian-sheep-and-box-trailers-nothing-from-anyone-so-we-write-again/

Yesterday, 19/9, we finally had one e mail back to us regarding the issue. It was from the office of Judith Bunting MEP (for SE England). The letter was worded:

Dear Mr Johnson,

I apologise that you have not received a response from our office regarding this issue.

This is a notice to say that we have received your email and Ms Bunting will be in touch with answers to your questions in due course.

For now, we are waiting on responses from other MEP’s offices regarding:

– The Commission’s infringement proceedings against Romania

– The Motion for Resolution submitted by Dominique Bilde MEP

 

With regards to the other questions in your letter, we have contacted both the European Parliament’s Research Service as well as the Health and Food Commissioner’s office. They should be able to provide more clarity on the issues you discuss.

Kind regards,

————————————

 

Finally; someone is addressing our concerns ! – it is worth looking at the ‘motion for resolution’ submitted by Dominique Bilde MEP via the link given above.

So now we wait to see what we get back from the EU.

In the meantime; the same vessel (the Al Shuwaikh’) which carried all the suffering Romanian sheep to the Middle East is now trying desperately to get a consignment of sheep from South Africa – you can read more here:

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/2019/09/19/south-african-sheep-face-nightmare-journey/

We have yet to hear if the SA government are going to allow the shipments both now and in the future.

Here is a video showing the conditions in which the sheep are transported; and how they suffer during the voyage.

 

This is the reason why we fight the live export trade so vigorously; be it by road, sea or air. We will never give up with our exposure of the terrible suffering animals endure during live transport.

 

Regards Mark

 

South African Sheep Face “Nightmare” Journey

By The Maritime Executive 2019-09-17 01:44:45

As the livestock carrier, the Al Shuwaikh, heads for South Africa, local TV show Carte Blanche has investigated the nation’s emerging live export trade with Kuwait and the potential for what the presenter calls a “nightmare journey” for the 65,000 sheep being readied to sail.

The Carte Blanche TV show says: “Facing prolonged loading processes, poor ventilation, stifling heat and overcrowded quarters, some 65,000 sheep will soon be packed onto a mammoth livestock vessel due in the East London harbor later this month. The livestock will be transported for weeks on the high seas, standing in their own filth, with no space to even lie down. Amid methane gas and ammonia accumulating in the cargo hold, this controversial trade deal between South Africa and the Middle East will eventually see millions of our sheep sent abroad.”

The TV show notes the whistleblower footage released by in Australia in 2017 that focused on the Awassi Express but also included footage from the Al Shuwaikh. The Carte Blanche presenter said the footage was so disturbing that it was decided not to show it on the program. He interviews Australian Dr. Lynn Simpson, a former live export veterinarian who has sailed on the Al Shuwaikh and who has been raising the issue of poor welfare on live export ships since 2001. Simpson says when she saw the footage, she was just seeing her experience from 57 voyages repeated.

The controversy surrounding the whistleblower footage continues in Australia – and an Australian Department of Agriculture observer report from a May 2018 voyage of the Al Shuwaikh revealed suffering and death as a result of the vessel’s design and management of livestock on board. The report indicated that for eight days sheep were open mouth breathing, indicating severe heat stress, as they “attempted to gain position around the ventilation vents on all open and closed decks.” Multiple instances of “death by smothering” occurred as a result of this. Heat stress was worsened by “oil fuel heaters being left on during the equator crossing” and poor ship design with “dark colored steel roof surface absorbing radiated heat from above.”

Additionally, the observer noted that water troughs were fouled with manure, particularly towards the end of the voyage when a skeleton crew were available to attend the livestock due to discharge preparations. There were significant welfare concerns during discharge, with the livestock, vocalizing loudly, left without fresh feed for over 30 hours. Moldy food was observed in the bottom of troughs for both sheep and cattle on numerous occasions. Dusty pellets were also observed, and on some decks this was largely attributed to the workings of the automated feeding system. The observer also noted that during rough weather a ballast tank overflowed into one of the sheep pens.

A Kuwaiti export company is apparently planning to export two consignments of around 70,000 sheep from South Africa to the Middle East this year, followed by 600,000 sheep, goats and cattle annually for the next three to five years.

Shatha Hamade from Animals Australia, says on the Carte Blanche program: “Every animal welfare organization on the planet opposes the live export trade by sea, and for good reason. The inherent suffering and risks in this trade are actually unavoidable.”

Regarding the export voyage planned for departure from South Africa later this month, she says: “I challenge the farmer that might be contracting with the Kuwaiti company, I challenge him to sit down and watch this [whistleblower] footage and talk to me and tell me that he thinks that it’s okay.”

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/south-african-sheep-face-nightmare-journey

 

WAV Comment – remember we recently covered the entire shipment of the ‘Al Shuwaikh’ when it was transporting 70,000 live sheep from Romania to Kuwait and Iran – well now it is setting its sights on live exports from South Africa – read more below.

 

From Animals Australia:

The Kuwaiti company responsible for Aussie sheep ‘cooking alive’ at sea is trying to gain a foothold in South Africa.

Little did they know, we were already there waiting for them.

On Sunday night, their hopes of loading South African sheep onto the notorious Al Shuwaikh without any scrutiny or opposition were fully shattered when the country’s premier current affairs TV program, Carte Blanche, aired an unforgettable ’60 Minutes’ style segment as to why South Africa should not export live sheep.

Please take a moment to see how our efforts to protect animals from the live export industry are going global: WATCH NOW!

 

Along with former live export veterinarian Dr Lynn Simpson, I was interviewed for the program. Caring South Africans are now venting their outrage that this company — having been stopped from getting Australian sheep during the Middle Eastern summer — has turned its sights on South Africa.

The Al Shuwaikh is currently sitting off the South African coast hoping to wait-out the public furore created by the Carte Blanche program. We are teaming up with local animal protection group, the NSPCA, to lobby the South African government to not allow this shipment.

The NSPCA would love Animals Australia supporters to band together with caring South Africans to call on their government to say ‘no’ to live sheep export. You can sign their petition here:

https://nspca.co.za/animal-cruelty/campaign-against-live-export-animals/ 

When I landed in Johannesburg to be interviewed for Carte Blanche, it was impossible not to reflect on the enormity of our efforts to bring an end to the global live export trade and the different continents it has taken us to.

Little by little, these powerful export companies are realising that their industry is now being held accountable globally due to the efforts of a relatively small animal charity from ‘down under’ and our band of compassionate and generous supporters.

Achieving this unprecedented exposé on South Africa’s highest-rating current affairs TV programme would not have been possible without our investigations, and without your support. As an investigator and an advocate, I send you a heartfelt thank you.

For the animals,

Shatha Hamade
Legal Counsel – Animals Australia.

 

From the RSPCA Australia:

Mark, we know how strongly you feel about ending the cruelty of live animal exports.

So we wanted to update you on some recent developments in the trade.

Despite the clear evidence that suffering is inevitable, live sheep exports resume

After a moratorium was placed on live sheep exports from June to 22 September, exports are due to resume this week. This is despite the overwhelming evidence that heat stress is unavoidable for the entirety of the high risk May to October period.

We will be watching this space closely, and are continuing to call for the Department of Agriculture to heed the evidence and protect sheep from suffering by ending this trading period.

What is the Department of Agriculture trying to hide?

Late August, the RSPCA was advised that the Department of Agriculture would refuse to release video footage from live sheep export journeys to the Middle East (footage we requested under the Freedom of Information Act).

On the day the footage was due to be released, we instead received a letter from the Department stating that the footage could not be released, because it could result in adverse criticism of the live animal export industry as a whole and be used by those who are opposed to the industry to lobby for the banning of the trade.

It’s extraordinary. How bad must this footage be (captured under the watch of the government observer), if the Department is concerned it could be used to advocate for an end to the trade altogether?

If the footage is so risky to the future of live export, it’s even more important that we see it.

We’ll continue to challenge this decision, and bring you updates.

Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports Bill passes Parliament

In good news this week, the Bill to establish an Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports has passed through Parliament, meaning greater oversight and accountability for the live export trade.

The establishment of an independent Inspector-General to oversee the Department of Agriculture’s regulation of live export was a key recommendation of the 2018 Moss Review.

The Moss Review found that the Department’s focus on trade facilitation negatively impacted its culture as a regulator of animal welfare.

As long as the regulation of animal welfare falls to the Department of Agriculture, the need for strong oversight by the Inspector-General will remain.

More evidence of cruelty to Australian cattle in live export

Sadly last week, we also saw more horrific footage coming out of Indonesia, showing Australian cattle suffering shocking slaughter conditions after they were ‘leaked’ outside the approved supply chain.

Once again, we have evidence of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) failing to protect Australian livestock.

The RSPCA is urgently calling for a review into the ESCAS, and will be watching developments on this issue closely.

We will keep bringing you updates, and letting you know how you can help end the suffering in live exports. Thank you for your support.

Regards,

Dr Jed Goodfellow
RSPCA Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

We wrote to ‘our’ reps at the EP Parliament recently, asking what the EU is doing about live Romanian sheep being exported to the Middle East in temperatures way exceeding EU Reg 1/2005 on the protection of animals in transport, and also about the use of ‘box’ trailers to carry livestock in the EU.

Here is the link to that article; which involves a copy of our letter as well as a report associated with the box trailer issue:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/09/06/england-wav-now-write-to-europe-regarding-romanian-sheep-and-animal-carrying-box-trailers/

At the time of writing this, 15/9; we have not even had any acknowledgement to our issues from ANY of the MEPs who are allegedly representing us. So also today, we have sent yet another e mail to them all asking for a response or acknowledgement in the very least.

Or, does this show the true face of the EU ? – people allegedly representing us in Parliament who do not even bother to contact us on issues ? – for which they are paid:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/faq/13/salaries-and-pensions

For that money, at least you would expect an acknowledgement of your letter; if nothing else.

In our letter of today we have at least asked for the basics; if these are not even met then we will be doing another post in the near future providing you, our supporters and visitors, with updated information.

Please watch in the near future.

WAV Comment – see our other recent post on this issue:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/09/11/australia-live-export-footage-shows-australian-cattle-dragged-by-ropes-before-slaughter-in-Indonesia/ 

 

Dear Mark,

It’s been weeks since our Investigators returned home from their deployment for the Festival of Sacrifice, and I just wanted to drop you a quick line to once again convey how grateful I am to you.

I am now able to speak to you about what we found in Indonesia as this investigation was made public through the media this week.

Because of your support, we have again been able to document and expose the brutal treatment and slaughter of Australian cattle in Indonesia, and lodge a legal complaint with the Department of Agriculture.

I won’t go into detail within this email, because I know that many of you prefer to be spared. But if you would like to read about what our Investigations Unit documented, you can do so in this media article, published yesterday.

It’s been eight years since I stood in a slaughterhouse in Indonesia and watched, with abject horror, the treatment that Australia’s live export industry had knowingly been supplying Australian animals to. I know for many of you, the images of one terrified animal who stood trembling as he watched his friends butchered around him, remain with you to this day.

‘Tommy’, the gentle Australian steer who we saw trembling in an Indonesian slaughterhouse in Indonesia, 2011.

What ‘Tommy’ endured — along with so many others — epitomised in the most tragic of ways, the callousness of Australia’s live export trade. The willingness of exporters to supply animals to brutal treatment was starkly exposed through that investigation, resulting in the then Gillard government implementing a new system of live export regulation.

The fact that Animals Australia has since had to police this ‘regulatory system’ in importing countries, is something that a charity should never have had to do. But I am proud that we have not shied from embracing the risks and challenges to be there for our animals, and call exporters to account. We’ve only ever been able to do this because of your support.

Once again, the critical nature of our investigative work is revealed through our recent evidence documented in Indonesia. Had we not been there, no-one would know that Australian cattle had been subjected to terrible ‘roping slaughter’ in the basement of a construction site.

Had we not been there, the exporter responsible, International Livestock Exports — recognised in the industry as the ‘cattle arm’ of the disgraced Emanuel Exports — would not now be under investigation and facing serious sanctions.

Had we not been there, the industry could have continued to operate, business as usual, as a law unto themselves.

So this is why I felt compelled to write to you today. Because had it not been for your caring and your generous support of our Investigations Unit, our team could not have been in Indonesia.

That such cruelty continues reveals exactly why live export, in its entirety, should end. Every piece of evidence we gather, whether in Indonesia, Kuwait, Vietnam or Egypt, continues to build that case.

There’s a reason why nearly a decade later, we still think about Tommy. For many people, coming face to face with him was the first insight they’d ever had into the fear and distress of animals raised and killed for food — the first time they were able to witness their desire not to be harmed.

Thank you for entrusting us with your faith and support and allowing us to dedicate every single moment to them. Thank you so much for your kind and generous heart.

Because of you, we can dedicate every day to Tommy and friends, and creating the kinder world that they so need and deserve.

In gratitude,

Lyn White AM
Animals Australia

 

https://secure.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/live-export-shipboard-cruelty/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-r3uheXN5AIVibTtCh1mGgLHEAAYASAAEgJZKPD_BwE