Transport is terrible torture for animals. More and more countries are banning it. Australia caused a global stir when it became the first country to ban the export of sheep from May 1, 2028. Now Britain has followed suit: the government will enshrine into law a ban on all exports of live animals for slaughter or fattening purposes. Animal rights activists see the EU elections as an opportunity for a European initiative.
The European Union remains the world’s largest exporter of live animals, exporting 1.5 billion poultry animals and more than 51 million cattle, pigs, sheep and goats annually. These animals are exposed to cruel conditions on water and on land: food and water shortages, extreme temperatures, high stress levels, infections and poor hygiene. Many of them do not survive transportation.
Romania, Spain and Portugal are the largest exporters
“We now need an end to this cruel export of live animals at European level,” said campaign leader Veronika Weissenböck of “Four Paws” in an interview with “Krone”. Billions of animals in the European Union suffer from a lack of protection and the EU’s inaction, she criticizes. The next European elections will take place from June 6 to 9 and will provide an opportunity to reform laws to better protect farmed animals, transport and slaughter.
Thousands of animals must be slaughtered
In 2021, thousands of young bulls had to be slaughtered after two ships were stranded in the Mediterranean for months. That same year, 18 ships carrying live animals were forced to stop due to the blockage of the Suez Canal, further forcing the animals to endure the torturous conditions. These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg, but demonstrate the animal welfare violations on these ships that leave the European Union every day.
“We call on the EU Parliament and EU Member States to amend the European Commission’s proposal on transport and propose a ban on the export of live animals and maritime transport. The export of live animals must be replaced by the transport of meat and genetic material. If the EU wants to be a world leader in animal protection, now is the time to follow the example of Australia and Great Britain,” said Josef Pfabigan, CEO of “Four Paws”.
Pressure from the EU Parliament
The animal rights activists have numerous supporters in politics. Red MEP Günther Sidl is also fighting for an end to animal transport. “The EU must put an end to this unnecessary animal suffering and pave the way for greater regionality by only allowing animals for slaughter to be transported to the nearest slaughterhouse. “This is the best way to prevent animal suffering and reduce climate-damaging transport,” he says in an interview with the “Krone”.
The ÖVP mandate and farmer Alexander Bernhuber is also committed to “more animal welfare and less animal transport”. “Above all, transports of live animals for slaughter by ship halfway around the world must be stopped. The aim should be to help regional and sustainable livestock farming and agriculture achieve a comprehensive breakthrough in Europe. Where animal transport cannot be avoided, the highest animal welfare standards must be observed,” he demands in an interview with the “Krone”.
Animal transport is important for breeding
The transport of animals to third countries for slaughter is prohibited in Austria. However, the export of breeding cattle is important to enable milk self-sufficiency in countries such as Algeria, Bernhuber explains. “This is not only an important source of income for agriculture in Austria, but also an opportunity for local farmers to earn income.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
