Animal welfare scandal: Cattle transport threatens to cause tragedy for thousands of animals!

Animal welfare scandal: Cattle transport threatens to cause tragedy for thousands of animals!

Concerns about conditions that violate animal welfare when transporting animals by ship continue to grow. The German animal protection organization Animal Welfare Foundation expresses serious concerns about the return of a livestock transport ship to Uruguay. This ship, which arrived off the Turkish city of Bandirma in the Sea of ​​Marmara on October 22, is carrying almost 3,000 animals, including many pregnant cows. These animals have been standing in their own excrement for months, and the ammonia level is extremely high, especially on the lower floors. Chances of survival for newly born calves in this situation are very low, and the risk of miscarriages is increased because around half of the animals are pregnant. The ship is expected to arrive empty because the import of the animals was refused due to a lack of chips or ear tags, and dozens of animals have already died on the way to Turkey.

The conditions on board are catastrophic. A lack of milking equipment and an untrained crew make the situation worse for the cows whose calves have died. These women can then suffer from mastitis. During an on-board investigation, 140 calves were born, 90 of which can no longer be found. Despite the short opportunity to dock in Turkey to load bales of hay, the Animal Welfare Foundation doubts this will be sufficient for the long return journey. The animal protection organization Four Paws also criticizes the animal welfare conditions that repeatedly come to light when animals are transported by ship. Many of the animals arrive at their destination blind or with inflamed airways.

Animal welfare regulations and their lack of compliance

The problem is exacerbated by inadequate regulation and control of animal transport. According to the EU regulation that regulates the transport of live vertebrates, all parties involved, including transport operators and drivers, are responsible for the welfare of the animals. They must be appropriately trained and licensed. However, there are no control or sanction options for compliance with these regulations in third countries, which means animal welfare is often not guaranteed. Cases of cruel treatment of animals have been documented in third countries since the 1990s, and cases against animal transport are often dropped even though violations continue to occur.

Current debates about animal transport show the pressure on political decision-makers. Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir could possibly exert influence at the national level, but the current draft bill lacks clear regulations on animal transport. The EU plans to revise regulations on animal transport, but only minimal improvements are in sight.

Call for a ban

The need to act is becoming increasingly urgent. In addition to the unsustainable conditions when transporting animals by ship, there are also reports of massive overcapacity of calves, primarily from the dairy industry. There are growing calls for a ban on ship transport to ensure animal welfare and the humane treatment of animals in agriculture. More and more voices are calling for a rethink in animal transport policy in order to minimize the suffering of animals and guarantee compliance with animal welfare standards.

The outcry from animal lovers and animal protection organizations should be seen as a wake-up call. Every living being has the right to be treated in a species-appropriate and humane manner, both during transport and at the destination.

The current incidents highlight the urgent need to review and tighten existing guidelines so that animal transport does not continue to become a massive animal welfare problem.

For further information on the general conditions of animal transport, we refer to Kleine Zeitung, Geo and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.