'Help the Horses' Campaign

London Conference on Live Export

Live export in Europe is a massive industry. All species of farm animals are subject to this cruel trade. Pigs, sheep, donkeys, cattle and horses are all transported from country to country often in inadequate lorries where the pressure on the drivers, to complete the journey in the shortest possible time, seriously compromises the welfare of these animals. Naturally, live export is high on the agenda of many welfare organisations throughout Europe. As there are many countries involved in the traffic of animals, Naturewatch hosted a conference in London for all welfarists working on live export to discuss the best way forward. In addition, we were very pleased that two representatives from the European Commission were able to attend.

The conference Delegates Advocates for Animals: Ms Sharon Hay; Animals’ Angels: Rev Christa Blanke and Ms Heike Fix; Compassion in World Farming: Mr. Peter Stevenson and Mr. John Callaghan; European Commission: Dr Dietrich de Frenne & Mr. Terence Cassidy (Health & Consumer Protection) Food & Veterinary Office; International Donkey Protection Trust: Mr. Paul Svendsen; International League for the Protection of Horses: Mr. Jeremy Buckland-James; Lega Anti–Vivisezione: Mr. Adolfo Sansolini; Naturewatch: Mr. John Ruane, Mrs. Caroline Barker and Cathy Green (representing the Lithuanian Society for the Protection of Animals); RSPCA: Mr. Barry Fryer (Special Investigations Unit), Ms Marlou Heinen - International Department (RSPCA - representing Eurogroup for Animal Welfare); World Equine Organisation: Mr. David Ward and Ms Annaliese Ellidge; World Society for the Protection of Animals: Mr. Dragan Nastic.

One of the prime aims of the conference was to arrange a communications network whereby all organisations could feed into a central location the details of investigations to avoid an overlapping of work. The International Donkey Protection Trust has agreed to set up this important network.

At the heart of these undercover investigations is the German animal welfare group Animals' Angels. Headed by the Reverend Christa Blanke, the group specialises in trailing transporters from the point of departure to final destination. The resulting video footage is a vital tool in persuading those in power to take action. Naturally, it is vital that Animals' Angels have the resources to continue these 'on the road' investigations.

The conference discussed the failure of European Union countries to enforce current animal protection laws on transport, particularly in light of the increasing imports from Central and Eastern Europe where animal welfare laws are generally not even incorporated into their national legislation. It is very difficult to persuade non-EU countries to adopt EU laws when there is non-compliance by EU countries.

Although the Live Export trade accounts for only one or two percent of the meat trade, the suffering of the animals is enormous in comparison. Pan-European agreement on welfare legislation is paramount and at the centre of all legislation is the European Commission. But, the length of time it takes to enact amendments to welfare laws (which often means having to compromise in order to get even small additional welfare measures approved) is a time consuming and very slow process. The recent acknowledgement in the Amsterdam Treaty which now recognises in law that animals are 'sentient beings' must form the foundation upon which we work. We must persuade governments that they have both a legal and a moral obligation to prevent cruelty to animals. The ultimate solution must be to end to all live export of animals. Hopefully, one day, we shall be able to look back at the barbaric live transportation industry and thank God that it has finished. In the meantime, we must work to expose and embarrass those, whether they be government ministers or companies, who ignore the cruelty in order to make money.

Can you help us fight such needless cruelty?

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