March 2018
Official figures show these journeys usually take upwards of 20 hours. The long journeys are stressful for the animals and in some cases result in great suffering due, for example, to overcrowding, high summer temperatures and animals receiving injuries en route. Many lambs are sent to slaughterhouses in France, even though a 2016 report by a Committee of Enquiry of the French Assemblée Nationale confirms that there are very serious welfare problems in French abattoirs.
The Government plans to run a consultation on banning live exports for slaughter. But farmers resolutely oppose such a ban. Although the UK exports thousands of sheep annually – and each of these animals is likely to suffer during the long journeys – they represent only a very small proportion of the overall sheep flock. In light of this, it is hard to believe that live exports plays any real role in achieving buoyancy for prices or that an end to the trade would have a significant impact on farmers’ incomes.
Young calves, many only 3-4 weeks old, are also caught up in the inhumane live export trade. These are male dairy calves; they are the wrong gender to produce milk and the wrong breed to produce the highest quality beef. AHPA figures show that 5,500 calves were exported from Scotland in 2017 to Spain and Italy to be reared for veal or beef – facing journeys of around 100 hours including mandatory rest stops. The animals are shipped from Scotland to Northern Ireland. They are then taken by road to the Republic of Ireland from where they are sent on a 20 hour sea journey to northern France. Finally they are driven all the way through France to Spain or Italy. In addition, the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland states that around 20,000 calves were exported from Northern Ireland to Spain in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Scientific evidence indicates that young calves are not well adapted to cope with transport. Their immune systems are not yet fully developed and they are not able to control their body temperature well, thus they are susceptible to both heat and cold stress.
Moreover, the calves are likely to be reared in Spain and Italy in barren conditions that would be illegal in Britain on animal welfare grounds. EU law only requires calves to be given bedding for the first two weeks of life. In contrast to this British law provides that calves must be provided with bedding until they are six months of age.
In addition, around 50,000 young calves a year are shot shortly after birth in Britain. Dairy calves should neither be exported nor shot soon after birth. The UK cattle sector must find humane, economically viable uses for these calves; they should be reared in the UK for beef or veal to the highest of welfare standards.
Compassion in World Farming wants live exports for slaughter and fattening to be banned. UK sheep and dairy farmers are keen to continue receiving generous subsidies from the taxpayer once the UK leaves the EU. I believe that farmers who export their animals for slaughter or fattening should not be eligible to receive subsidies. If farmers want support from taxpayers, they must be prepared to respect public concerns.
Guest blog by Peter Stevenson
Chief Policy Advisor, Compassion in World Farming
Follow Compassion on twitter: @CIWF
The opinions expressed in this blog are the author's and not necessarily those of the wider Link membership.
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