Call to halt long-distance live exports

THE long-distance transport of live animals should be halted during the Irish presidency of the European Union, a protest in Dublin urged yesterday.

Compassion in World Farming staged the protest outside the offices of the Department of Agriculture and Food and handed in a letter for Minister Joe Walsh.

Forty-five other animal welfare groups in 31 countries are supporting the call by lobbying Irish diplomats in their own countries.

Protests were also scheduled at Irish embassies in the United States, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy and Britain.

But farm leaders in Ireland, where the live cattle trade is worth an estimated € 110 million to the economy, said this country had the highest standards for the transport of cattle.

New EU animal transport rules are being negotiated and may be finalised within the Irish presidency.

Mr Walsh said his aim was to reach an agreement in the council which provides for high standards of welfare but also allows trade to be maintained.

CIWF, however, has called on him, as EU Farm Council president, to take the lead in ensuring the new rules stop the long-distance transport by including an eight-hour total journey limit for all animals travelling for slaughter or further fattening.

CIWF-Ireland director Mary-Anne Bartlett said long-distance transport of live animals causes widespread suffering. “It is also totally outdated and unnecessary as the trade could be in meat.”

Each year, about three million live cattle, sheep, pigs and horses are transported across Europe and beyond on journeys often several thousand kilometres long.

ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke said the protesters were misinformed, misguided and misleading the public as Irish cattle reach their destination in excellent condition.

Studies by Teagasc on animals in transit from Ireland to Spain and Italy concluded that transport had absolutely no adverse welfare effects based on their physical health or stress, he said

ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch said Irish livestock hauliers had the most technically advanced trucks and make use of staging posts to ensure that animals are rested, foddered and watered at regular intervals.

IFA livestock committee chairman John Bryan said the Irish live export trade operated to the highest animal welfare standards in the world.