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'Help the Horses' Campaign
Action and Positive Results
Naturewatch has been working hard to improve the conditions
for these horses and due tothese efforts some positive action and results have
occurred:
- We exposed, on national Lithuanian television and in the press, the horrific reality of the live export of Lithuanian horses and the terrible cruelty endured by these animals. Now all of Lithuania know about this once hidden trade;
- We funded an investigation into the live export of Lithuanian horses which exposed the terrible cruelty;
- Investigation results were presented to the authorities and backed up with photographs and video footage;
- Naturewatch supporters sent over 9,000 letters of complaint to the Italian Ambassador in London;
- A meeting was held with the Italian Embassy in London to discuss our grave concerns.
In Lithuania:
After studying our reports, the Lithuanian State Veterinary Service called a press conference and as a direct result of these findings:
- the government has introduced strict new welfare measures for horses;
- all lorries carrying horses are ordered to unload and rest the animals for two 24 hour periods en-route where they will be fed and watered;
- veterinary inspections are to be more thorough. No export licenses will be issued for horses that are unfit to travel;
- upon their return, lorry drivers must submit a route plan accompanied by veterinary certificates issued at the borders to prove the animals were in good health throughout the journey.
The Lithuanian transport companies, stung by the criticism, promised full compliance and promised that there would be two people on each transport lorry - a driver and a trained animal operative who would be responsible for the welfare of the horses.
In Italy:
Following our meeting with the Italian Embassy, the authorities in Rome promised action and all the necessary monitoring procedures will be introduced to ensure full compliance with European Union welfare regulations. We are delighted that in June 2000 official confirmation was given.
In June 2000, the lobbying efforts of Italian welfare society LAV (Lega Anti-Vivisezione), the German group Animals' Angels, Compassion in World Farming, Naturewatch and others has led to promises of official resting stations, 24-hour manning of Italian borders and additional veterinarian staff at the borders.
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