Published 28/10/2009

Commercial and passenger ferries continue to forge live animal export links to the continent from the UK.

Following the proposal by Celtic Link Ferries to open a livestock transport route from Portsmouth to France, there have been unsettling attempts this week to get transporters with sheep out of Portsmouth.

Despite public and parliamentary calls to end the trade of live animals and scientific evidence showing that animals suffer during these long journeys, Portsmouth City Council appears unable to legally stop this inhumane and unnecessary trade.

A port spokesperson said: 'The port's policy to oppose such exports remains unchanged. However, it is not within the port's legal power to prohibit them.'

Mike Hancock MP for Portsmouth says: 'I am against the live export of animals and the suffering involved. Unfortunately it is not within the power of either the Port or the City Council to legally stop it. I hope those involved will reconsider the live export of animals and not go ahead'.

Compassion in World Farming understands that Portsmouth Port Management has been told that Defra have issued a notice stopping Celtic Link from accepting live animals as cargo for export. Although live animal exports may have temporarily been stopped via Celtic Link, worrying developments continue as Compassion has been told that Norfolk Line will now take live animal exports out of Felixstowe.

The move has prompted outrage and demonstrations involving local animal welfare groups and supporters of Compassion in World Farming, who have pledged to continue protests if live exports are to go ahead.

Eloise Shavelar, Campaigns Co-ordinator for Compassion in World Farming said "Compassion condemns this cruel trade that involves hundreds of thousands of calves, sheep and other animals being transported long distances across Europe each year. There is a wealth of scientific evidence showing that animals suffer greatly during these long journeys from heat, thirst and exhaustion. The export of live animals is an inhumane and unnecessary trade which must be stopped."

Compassion in World Farming continue to oppose live animal exports and our campaigns against exports has helped ensure that until now no passenger ferries from Great Britain have taken live animal exports since 1994. Compassion believes the long distance transport of live farm animals should be abandoned and replaced by a trade in meat and carcasses.

For a number of years live animal exports have mainly taken place through Dover Docks, Kent. Obstacles are in place to restrict the live animal export trade; with passenger operators in Dover refusing to take live animal shipments, with the industry having to hire private vessels. P&O, SeaFrance and Brittany Ferries all have a policy not to take live exports. With other passenger ferries, such as Norfolk Line, proposing this cargo from Britain, it provides an easier opportunity for a trade in live animals.

TAKE ACTION

Celtic Link Ferries allow the export of live animals on their shipments. Please send this email (UPDATE: Link removed as action successful) to Celtic Link Ferries urging them to stop supporting this inhumane and unnecessary trade.

We need your help to make sure that live transports do not take place!

DEMONSTRATION INFORMATION:

Date: Saturday 07 November 12.00 - 14.00

Location: The Entrance of Portsmouth Docks on Wharf Road, PO2 8RU

Location map: see Google Map >>