ACTION: transport d' animaux de ferme,

LA LUTTE CONTINUE CONTRE LE TRANSPORT DES ANIMAUX DE FERME DANS DES CIONDITIONS TERRIFIANTES. MERCI DE SIGNER ET DE PARTAGER CETTE PÉTITION!!!!

A new front in the war on live exports

As I type, a ship is making its way towards Waterford in Ireland to collect its cargo. This ship is the first in the resurgence of a trade that has not been seen for more than 10 years. The resumption of the live export of cattle from Ireland to Libya is being heralded by the Irish Government and the Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, as “progress.” They couldn’t be more wrong. The resumption of this trade will be a disaster for animal welfare and for the reputation of the Irish Farming Industry. Ireland to Libya 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. Long journeys by lorry and boat are extremely stressful for animals and can include: deprivation of food and water, lack of rest, poor handling by humans, overcrowding, insufficient headroom and stress caused by noise and vibration. Subjecting animals to this terrible suffering simply cannot be tolerated.

Compassion took this picture of Irish bulls being loaded onto a ship in Ireland, headed for the Middle East, 10 years ago. The trade is set to resume in a few days. Take action to stop the resumption of this inhumane trade.

Journey’s end

Warning: the following descriptions of animal suffering may cause distress.

When the animals reach Libya they will be slaughtered. Slaughter conditions in much of North Africa are frequently inhumane. Previous Compassion investigations in this region have found animals being roughly – even brutally – handled and dragged to the place of slaughter. For example, in Egypt we saw the leg tendons of live cattle being severed with a knife to control them prior to slaughter and animals’ throats being cut while they were fully conscious and then left to bleed to death. Clearly such cruel slaughter is completely unacceptable and in breach of international guidelines.

Join us in calling on the Irish Government to reverse their decision before any animals are subjected to this awful fate.

Supported by the Government, opposed by the public

Our recent work has shown that there is strong public opposition to live exports. Despite giving their full support to the trade, the Irish Government continues to make a show of caring about animals. Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney recently said: "It's no joke crossing the Bay of Biscay in January and the last thing I want is reports of cattle breaking legs on their journey to wherever."

As Ireland is currently President of the Council of the European Union, and, as part of this role, holds the Presidency of the EU Agriculture Council, it’s crucial that its actions abide by the obligations of the EU treaty on animal welfare.

We need your help. Join us to call on the Irish Government to make a simple choice;

1. Stop the resumption of this trade; or
2. Step aside from its role as President of the EU Agriculture Council when animal welfare is being discussed.

Allowing this trade to go ahead, in the face of the extreme suffering it will cause and overwhelming public opinion, clearly shows how unacceptable it is for the Irish Minister to act as President of the EU Agriculture Council when animal welfare is on the agenda. The Irish Government clearly intends to flout its EU Treaty obligations to pay ‘full regard to animal welfare’.