Live Exports: A dark day for Ireland
A new front is opening up in the war on live exports. Ireland is due to re-start a trade in live cattle with Libya. The re-emergence of this trade after 10 years would be a disaster for animal welfare and the reputation of Irish farming.
Ireland to Libya – suffering piled on suffering
The journey by boat from Ireland to Libya could take 10 days – not including the journey to Waterford port and the onward journey in Libya. Animals suffer terribly during long journeys. But for these animals the end of the journey will bring no relief. Slaughter conditions in much of North Africa are frequently inhumane, with completely unacceptable practices being commonplace.
Demand the Irish Government takes action
The Irish Government has given its full support to the resumption of the live export trade with the Agriculture Minister, Mr Coveney, describing it as “progress”.
At the same time, Ireland is currently President of the Council of the European Union and, as part of this role, they hold the Presidency of the EU Agriculture Council.
Allowing this trade to go ahead – in the face of the extreme suffering it will cause and strong public opinion – clearly shows it would be unacceptable for the Irish Minister to act as President of the EU Agriculture Council when animal welfare is on the agenda.
Inhumane journey by road and sea
Long journeys are stressful for animals and can include:
- deprivation of food and water
- lack of rest
- poor handling by humans
- overcrowding
- insufficient headroom
- stress caused by noise and vibration
Cruel slaughter
Previous Compassion investigations into slaughter conditions in North Africa/Middle East have found:
- animals being roughly – even brutally – handled
- animals dragged into the place of slaughter
- cruel methods of handling e.g. the leg tendons of cattle being severed with a knife to control them
Related articles
- Ireland calls Brussels meeting on horsemeat scandal (news.terra.com)
- S&P revises up Ireland outlook to stable (news.com.au)
- S&P revises up Ireland outlook to stable (bigpondnews.com)
- ‘Sadistic’ footage may involve Australian cattle (abc.net.au)
- Ireland moves to quell horsemeat fears, calls meeting (Reuters) (newsdaily.com)
- EU to discuss horsemeat scandal (worldbulletin.net)
- Ratings agency S&P upgrades Irish outlook to stable from negative (independent.ie)
- ‘Brutality’ to Australian sheep in Kuwait (news.theage.com.au)
