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European Livestock Campaign

News review 2001

February 2001 - European Taskforce formed to end cruelty of LIVESTOCK MARKETS

At a meeting in Brussels, organised by Animals' Angels (Germany) and hosted by GAIA (Global Action in the Interests of Animals), eleven animal welfare organisations from all over Europe agreed to form a Taskforce to help end cruelty at livestock markets.

Harrowing video footage was witnessed of barbaric treatment by market employees to farm animals. In particular, scenes filmed in Belgium were among the worst ever seen. Outrage was expressed that such cruelty is permitted by the Belgian authorities, who are at the heart of Europe and the legislation capital of the European Union. The Belgian markets at Ciney and Anderlecht are disgraceful hell-holes where animals young and old, sick and healthy are treated to appalling beatings by inhuman brutes.

Similar evidence of abuse was presented at the meeting from other European Union states and showed:

Severe beating and kicking of animals;
Sick and injured animals being abused;
Lack of veterinary care for injured and sick animals;
Cruel and sadistic use of sticks, knives and electric goads;
Overcrowding of pens with animals tied so tightly they were unable to move.

The objective of the TASKFORCE is to expose and end this terrible cruelty.

Above: Kicking a cow in the head as a way to force it onto the transporter.

Members of the TASKFORCE:

Animals' Angels (Germany)
Advocates for Animals (United Kingdom)
Animaux en Péril (France)
Animal Aid (United Kingdom)
AGILA (France)
Compassion in World Farming (Ireland & Holland)
The Donkey Sanctuary (United Kingdom)
GAIA (Belgium)
Naturewatch (United Kingdom & Lithuania)
PMAF (France)
Swiss Tierschutz (Switzerland)

Images taken from GAIA’s undercover filming (from left to right): A cow receiving a beating from a man with a stick; cows, bloody and tethered, at a live market await further mistreatment before transportation; a cow being kicked in the stomach because it is too frightened to go into the lorry.

A major campaign will be launched in the Spring. In the meantime, Naturewatch is working with Animals’ Angels to gather evidence and more footage of the current situation in Holland, Spain, France and Belgium.

Livestock Markets update: Dec 2001

The European Taskforce resolved to lobby the European Commission for the creation of a Markets (Protection of Animals) Directive as the only related (and poorly enforced) legislation is limited to transport issues and has no influence on the welfare of animals once they are actually in the market.

As part of the Taskforce, Naturewatch funded an investigation by Animals’ Angel Lesley Moffat into the French live animal markets. This was postponed when Europe was hit by the Foot and Mouth epidemic in April, and finally took place in November, specifically targeting the major export markets of Requista, St Etienne,Laissac, Lyon, Agen and Maurs.

Lesley was also able to secure a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture in Paris where she highlighted the fact that significant breaches of current law are a daily occurrence; transport operators submit incorrect route plans and veterinary inspections are knowingly superficial - to the point of being non-existent.

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