Above – an EU official does his usual.

 

From Mark – This is not going to be short – but I will aim to keep it that way if possible.

Now that we are covering a lot at present with regard live animal exports; I have decided to go public with some work which I did back in 2012 regarding live British sheep being exported by Dutchman ‘Onderwater’ on his ship, the ‘Joline’.

Above – A sheep carrying sealed box trailer boards the ‘Joline’.

The main issue of this report which I produced was to show up (yet again) the complete inconsistencies of the EU and the non adherence to the regulations set in animal transportation protection order EU Regulation 1/2005.

The regulations say that (animal) transporters should be clearly ‘signed’ to alert people that live animals are being carried. Ok, you can see this is not necessary with a ‘normal’ tiered livestock transporter, but with the ‘box’ type transporters which are used in Europe, we enter a different region where the carrying of live animals in a vehicle is not clear at all. This for example, is how Onderwater (the Dutch livestock haulier) deceived the UK authorities by making it look like he was carrying boxed / chilled meat in a ’box’ type animal trailer, when actually it was carrying live animals (sheep).

 

Read all about it at:

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

 

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/05/28/england-i-went-to-europe-and-all-i-got-was-slaughtered-who-am-i-david-or-goliath/

 

Below – Would you be aware if you were driving on the motorway that this truck is NOT carrying chilled produce, but instead is full of live animals ?

Above – a typical sealed box trailer in the EU – this time full of live sheep.

 

See my report photographs (taken by friend Valerie Cameron) – Page 4 – which actually show the rear doors of the ‘box’ open and live sheep standing within. 

 

Above – a sheep carrying ‘box’ trailer in the docks, ready to load on ship.

 

We even gave the EU some suggestion as to how the type of signage which we suggested should be carried on all box type trailers; on the top, bottom, sides and rear. On Page 2 of my report is the example of a sign we gave, written in both English and German; for emergency services to read when applicable.

We put forward suggestions of box trailer labelling for several reasons:

 

• If, for example, the truck was involved in an accident and was turned onto its side; then our wonderful emergency services would see the signage and know that live animals were being carried. Consequently, they could immediately access the live by the rear doors, cutting into the roof etc. My argument was that without clear signage, emergency services, like many people; may wrongly think that chilled foodstuffs were only being carried, and hence not worry about trailer access.
• EU Regulation 1/2005 for the ‘protection of animals in transport’; makes it clear in the legislation that labelling is to be shown on vehicles which provides this info to emergency services. Very sadly, as you will read in my report; many animal carrying box trailers are going all over Europe carrying live animals; but without any labelling to make this clear.
• We have no faith in the EU enforcing anything; so we, (animal welfare organisations) have to act independently to be a voice for the animals and get them the justice they deserve.

 

I put forward my report to the EU on this issue and how we exposed that ‘live animal’ labels were being covered up whilst the vehicle was on the road. My report gives and example and shows exactly how the labelling is covered up; yet can very easily be removed by the driver when he is going to the authorities at a port for inspections.

 

In their typical way, the EU authorities were fully of words about how things should be done; but when presented with information on how the rules are broken; as detailed in my report; the EU did its normal and turned the other way.  My report shows the EU fancy words which mean nothing.

Cut to now – August 2019; animal carrying but un identified ‘box’ trailers are still being hauled all over the EU. So still, in the event of any accident; emergency services are still completely unaware that live animals are being transported within the trailer. Another issue is access and ventilation. There is obvious lack of access to sick or injured animals in a ‘box’ type trailer so that they can be identified and removed. How can a driver see that animals are ‘ok’ when they are concealed behind the solid walls of a box type trailer ? – and even if he could, which he cannot, how would sick animals be removed from the trailer ?

Livestock carrying trailers have airflow, be it through the tiered vents or via fan systems which are integral to the trailer design. Sealed ‘box’ type trailers have neither. There is usually only a small (30cm) vertical opening at the rear of the trailer through which outside air passes. Is this sufficient for a trailer full of animals ? – I personally think not; but the EU authorities allow it, and seem to turn blind eyes to all the anti evidence provided.

So; here s my report on how very small labelling is covered on the road; and quickly removed by the driver once in port going for inspections. Has anything changed over they years ? – NO. Our labelling system was ignored by the EU, and emergency services attending and incident are still none the wiser if live animals are being carried and may require very quick attendance and help.

For me personally, this again shows how the EU preaches one thing in its Regulations, but does not actually give a damn in reality. It is wrong and unjust; and is exactly the reason why I fight to give animals a voice.

They do not deserve to be abused like this – I wont give up trying to help those who suffer in silence.

Regards Mark.

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/ 

 

The Report:

Front Page

TEXT

 

 

Mark Comment –

all I can say is that I hope this gives an insight into non animal looking trailers that are actually on the roads of Europe but in reality, carrying live animals.

So drivers of Europe, keep an eye out for these – they are not what they may first appear to be.  If you see one involved in an accident; inform emergency services that animals could be on board and need attention.  Do not blame emergency services; blame the EU authorities – who do NOTHING !

Don’t give in without a fight !

Compassion In World Farming (CIWF) is based in London, England. They are a very successful farm animal welfare organization who lead the way to help farm animals across the world. They have an extensive network of organisations affiliated with throughout Europe, as well as having an extensive international network covering the USA and China.

 

You can visit the CIWF site at: https://www.ciwf.org.uk/

http://philiplymbery.com/about-philip/

https://www.ciwf.org.uk/philip-lymbery/blog/2013/11/moving-forward-in-china

Compassion CEO, Phil, a long time campaigner and friend who fought with Mark (WAV) against live exports from Southern England has written an Agenda for the new Prime Minister, Mr Boris Johnson.

You can read Phil’s agenda to the PM here:

 

Compassion is entirely neutral politically: our agenda is simply to get the very best outcomes for farm animals, regardless of who is in power. But the arrival of a new Prime Minister is an excellent moment to take stock, especially at this time of extraordinary political turbulence. What is our message for Boris Johnson? What can we realistically ask him to do?

This is what we’re writing to him today.

 

Dear Mr Johnson,

Congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister. We recognise that you are taking over the leadership at a time of exceptional challenge and difficulty and we hope that the outcome of your efforts leads to better lives for us all – people and animals alike.

We should like to highlight four key points which link with your efforts to bring the Brexit issue to a satisfactory conclusion.

First of all, we welcome your longstanding commitment to ending live exports. As you have recognised, the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening causes immense suffering for little economic benefit, with most of the journey and all of the subsequent handling and slaughter entirely outside the scope of British monitoring and control. Under EU rules, successive governments have
argued that it has not been possible to end the trade. After Brexit, this excuse should no longer apply. Please ensure that whatever agreement is reached with the EU, it does not prevent you from implementing the ban, and introduce it as one of the first benefits of post-Brexit life.

Second, in the subsequent trade negotiations, please stand firm for the best of the British farming industry in opposing an opening of the British market to low-quality, low-welfare imports. These would undercut British farmers and destroy much of the industry, as well as the hard-won reputation of Britain as a market where quality and welfare are valued by consumers. Britain’s farmers cannot win a race to the bottom, but they can win a race to be the best in the world.

Third, please develop the “public money for public goods” agenda introduced by Michael Gove in Defra, and ensure that a significant proportion of the new initiatives funded under this approach benefit British farmers moving up the welfare scale – for example, replacing the archaic systems of hen cages and farrowing crates with modern free-range facilities.

Fourth, please deliver the promised “gold standard” labelling of meat and dairy goods, so that consumers can make informed choices in what they buy and contribute to rewarding high-welfare farmers.

More broadly, please support a fundamental review of Britain’s food and farming system, as recommended by the RSA and EAT-Lancet reports. We have had years of reports urging a more sustainable approach to British agriculture. We hope that your Government will take action to turn the recommendations into Britain’s long-term reality.

We wish you every success in including these objectives as part of your agenda for the challenging days ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Philip Lymbery

 

We have now logged the entire journey of the ‘Al Shuwaikh’ with its ‘cargo’ of 70,000 live Romanian sheep all the way from Midia on 15/7/19 through to the final arrival in Qatar on 3/8/19. This includes the stops at Jeddah and Jebel Ali in Dubai to offload animals.

All this data is now stored in our archive ready for when the EU MEP’s, Commissioners etc return from their Summer breaks; when we will launch an all out campaign, along with other international groups we have contacted; over the barbarity of this consignment.

We will be urging the EU to prosecute the Romanian authorities in the harshest way; just as one example, because of the temperatures in which the sheep were transported. Virtually throughout the entire journey the sheep were travelling in excess of the maximum temperatures allowed by EU Regulation 1/2005; which being an EU member state; Romania should be complying with.

Now we have all the data it is simply a waiting game for the EU to return to Brussels; then we will start.

 

 

 

Further Update – 1500hrs GMT

The Al Shuwaikh has now docked at Hamad port in Qatar.

Update:  1100hrs GMT 3/8/19.

AL SHUWAIKH current position is 25.02039 N / 51.59721 E on Aug 3, 2019

Vessel AL SHUWAIKH is a Livestock Carrier built in the mid 1980s and currently sailing under the flag of Kuwait.

Current destination of AL SHUWAIKH is HAMAD (Qatar) and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) is Aug 3, 03:00.

For more on Hamad port – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamad_Port

What a history of vessel names it has had; why – things to hide ??

Vessel Name	Registered Owner	Year
AL SHUWAIKH	Livestock Tpt & Tdg	1999
MERKUR ISLAND	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1999
MSC BRASIL	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1998
MSC LIMA	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1997
EMPRESS	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1996
MERKUR ISLAND	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1995
NEDLLOYD MAURITIUS	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1989
MERKUR ISLAND	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1988
COLOMBO	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1986
MERKUR ISLAND	F.A.Vinnen & Co	1985

 

For reference only.

Here below is a copy of the EU Commissioner (Andriukaitis) – pictured below; letter to the Romanian Agriculture Minister (and Minster of Rural Development of Romania) Mr Petre Daea on 10/7/19 asking him not to allow the shipment of 70,000 live sheep to the Middle East due to the extreme temperatures, (46 degrees) which we have reported in the last few days.

 

Above – The ‘do nothing Commissioner Andriukaitis

Below – the ‘animal welfare’ ignorant Romania Minister Petre Deae

In his letter the Commissioner continues to give examples of what sections of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, would be breached by the approval of such a consignment.

In full EU Member State compliance with the demands of the senior Commission, Romania basically gave 2 fingers to the Commissioner and proceeded with the shipment anyway; as we have been reporting now for over 2 weeks.

Romania has ignored all the rules and regulations of the EU when it comes to transporting live animals; and yet we (as EU citizens) are supposed to vote for MEP’s and expect that the EU Parliament actually carries some ‘clout’ in Brussels with the Commissions.

This who saga of animal abuse to the extreme just shows that everything relating to the EU and animal welfare amounts to … NOTHING.

Above – results of their inactions

 

Here below is a copy of the ‘nothing’ letter from the Commissioner to the Romanian Ministry, a Commissioner who has since packed up and moved on to greener fields.  If only the same could be said for the Romanian sheep he has failed.

See https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/07/26/the-do-nothing-commissioner-says-goodbye/ for more.

If the ‘masters’ of the EU ignore the very rules they are responsible for; then there really is only one answer:

 

 

 

Al Shuwaikh Update – 2/8/19 0825hrs GMT

 

The ‘AL SHUWAIKH’ arrived at Shuwaikh port (Kuwait) at 1018hrs on 1/8.

It departed at 2216hrs.

 

Current destination of AL SHUWAIKH is HAMAD#NG (Qatar) and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) is Aug 3, 03:00

Hamad Port is Qatar’s main seaport, located south of Doha in the Umm Al-Houl area

Temperature in Qatar = 40 degrees – way above max EU animal transportation regulations.

Port calls on this shipment of 70,000 Romanian sheep have included:

Shuwaikh (Kuwait)

Jebel Ali (UAE)

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

Midia (Romania) – commencement of shipment.

 

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/08/02/2-8-19-copy-of-the-letter-from-the-eu-do-nothing-commissioner-to-the-animal-welfare-ignorant-romanian-minister/

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