Published 15/06/2009

The sad fact is that most of the 10,000 pigs apparently spared, due to the suspension of the cull recently, have since been killed. No more than 2,000 are thought to remain and these are likely to be killed within the week. Some 160,000 pigs are therefore thought to have died, many in the most horrific of ways.

We understand that the resumption of the cull was ordered by Egypt's Chief Veterinary Officer. This is the very same person who held meetings in Paris just days before with both the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and Compassion in World Farming.

Part of the remaining cull was witnessed by Compassion's own Head of Campaigns, Lasse Bruun, together with a representative from the World Society for the Protection for Animals (WSPA). Appalling scenes were recorded at Bassatin slaughterhouse in Cairo where some of the cull was being undertaken. The pigs who did not get sent to Bassatin are likely to have been killed in the desert.

Footage taken by Compassion in Bassatin is now being analysed by scientific experts at Bristol University to ascertain why the pigs who were still alive were in such a subdued state. Were they drugged? Or were they weak from neglect? The material gathered on the ground is likely to be used as part of a formal complaint to both the OIE and the Egyptian government.

Our campaign to bring pressure on Egypt as a tourist destination is gathering pace. Over 2,500 supporters have taken part in our 'visa' protest where they download a spoof visa application and send it in protest to the Egyptian visa office in their country.

We have met with the deputy director of the Egyptian state tourist authority in London. Through this contact, we are now in direct contact with the Ministry of Tourism in Cairo. We have submitted a formal letter with a list of demands including that Egypt end any further culling, implement the OIE guidelines on transport and slaughter and, most importantly, adopt new animal protection legislation.

We expect to be meeting with senior government officials, including the agriculture minister, in Cairo in several weeks' time. We will press vigorously for our animal welfare demands to be met.

So, the campaign goes on. We continue to ensure that their suffering was not in vain and that the likes of this horrendous atrocity never happen again.

Your support could help us to build our case for the introduction of the animal protection laws that are so vital to prevent countries culling animals in this way: start a regular donation today.