Scandalous calf transport from Austria: Animals suffer in Libya!

Scandalous calf transport from Austria: Animals suffer in Libya!

Mellau, Österreich - A common research by The marker and SOKO animal protection has uncovered alarming grievances in the trade with calves from Austria and Germany. The animals, usually a few weeks old and rely on breast milk, are first transported to Spain and then sent further to the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. A transport that the research team accompanied in April 2025 led from a collection point in Bavaria via France to Northeastern Spain. The entire duration of transport was 22 hours, which exceeds the maximum permissible time in accordance with the EU regulation.

The investigators reported that the animals in Spain were loaded onto regional trucks. From there you get to different masts in the interior. Male young animals are particularly affected, which are considered uneconomical in their countries of origin. In a faced company, calves from six different countries, including Austria, were found. These circumstances throw a serious light on the practice of calf transport and trade.

grievances in animal husbandry

The documented conditions in the eleven mast halls visited were alarming. The animal rights activists encountered sick, weakened and even dead animals. Tobias Giesinger from The marker emphasized that the insufficient traceability of the animals harbors serious health risks. The farmers are often not informed about the origin of their animals. A criminal complaint against the responsible transport company has already been submitted.

According to official charges, calves are also exported to Libya, Egypt and Lebanon. These exports are to be organized via the port of Tarragona. In 2024, a total of 34,207 calves from Austria were delivered to other EU countries, while over two million animals are affected throughout the EU. Responsibility for animal welfare is distributed to numerous actors along the supply chain without clear responsibility.

regulation and animal protection

The EU regulation, which regulates transport living vertebrates, stipulates that everyone involved-from the transport company to drivers to animal owners-are responsible for the well-being of the animals. No matter whether transports over 65 kilometers or long -distance transports, as they occur in the documented cases, all regulations must be observed. There are also special requirements, such as documenting the routes and ensuring animal welfare during transport.

The goal of this EU regulation, which has been in force since 2007, is to maintain animal welfare standards and prevent abuse. Especially for transports over eight hours, strict regulations apply, such as temperature control and access to water. However, it is critical that the transport of very young animals and pregnant animals is still allowed, which is always under discussion.