Yesterday, 14 June 2021, supporters of leading farm animal welfare charity, Compassion in World Farming, took action for the sixth annual Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day, raising awareness about the plight of millions of animals that suffer in long distance transportation every year.

The day of action, which was held virtually for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, received an overwhelming show of support in at least 40 countries: over 150 NGOs joined the Twitterstorm to raise awareness about this awful trade, and tweets containing the hashtag #BanLiveExports received more than 62 million views.

Activists also signed a petition requesting a ban on the export of live animals outside the EU, long-distance journeys over eight hours and the transport of live animals on ships. The petition, which will be submitted to the European Commission at the end of the year, collected more than 53,000 signatures within 24 hours of launching.

Activists also signed a petition, launched in collaboration with Four Paws and WeMove, requesting a ban on the export of live animals outside the EU, long-distance transports over eight hours and the transport of live animals on ships. The petition will be submitted to the European Commission at the end of the year.

“In the wake of recent live exports tragedies, including the disaster on the Suez Canal, which saw hundreds of thousands of animals stranded in awful conditions, it has become clearer than ever that this practice is outdated, unnecessary and incredibly cruel,” says Mandy Carter, Global Head of Campaigns for Compassion in World Farming.

“We are calling on the EU Commission to follow the brilliant examples set by New Zealand and, more recently, the UK, and implement a ban on the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter.”

Every year, millions of animals are transported over thousands of kilometres - by air, sea or land - to be slaughtered or fattened for slaughter. During these journeys, they suffer tremendously due to stress, exhaustion, over-heating and injuries. Many of these animals are sheep and calves kept in over-crowded conditions without enough food, water, or space to move, and often face an inhumane slaughter at their final destination.

Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day helps to raise public awareness about the cruel realities of this awful trade, in addition to pressuring policymakers to implement a ban.

For more information, please email Media.Team@ciwf.org or call 01483 521 615.