On International Day Against Animal Transport on June 14, the German Animal Welfare Federation draws attention to the cruel conditions to which millions of animals are still exposed during transport to countries outside Europe. The association criticizes Germany for continuing to shy away from a national export ban and calls on the new federal government to finally set a good example and put an end to animal suffering.
“Transport is torture for the animals affected, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep: they are transported across Germany, Europe, and to countries outside Europe in filthy trucks without sufficient space, water, or feed. The fact that animal welfare activists have had to demand the same thing for years is a sad reflection on the EU and Germany,” says Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Federation. The coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD did not consider the possibility of a national ban. “Although the ongoing and serious abuses have been known for a long time, nothing is happening. But no more time should be wasted on this issue. The federal government now has the opportunity to set a good example for Germany – which would ultimately pave the way for an EU-wide ban.”
In Germany, as in all member states of the European Union, the Transport Regulation has been in force since 2007, which is intended to ensure the protection of animals during transport. However, the provisions are far from sufficient to prevent animal suffering. In addition, many abuses during transport remain undetected, partly due to a lack of monitoring. The revision of the Transport Regulation currently offers an opportunity for animals. Even if the European Commission's draft falls short of the German Animal Welfare Federation's demands, the federal government has the opportunity to actively propose amendments in the Council of Ministers – for example, the long-overdue ban on exports to third countries or transport by ship. Stricter restrictions at the national level would also be possible, but Germany has not yet made use of them.
Every year, several million live animals are transported from the EU for breeding, fattening, or slaughter, usually over hundreds or thousands of kilometers. The animals are frightened, they suffer from heat, hunger, thirst, and injuries—and this goes on for hours. In particular, the days or even weeks-long voyages across the Mediterranean by ship are agonizing. Ventilation on the decommissioned car ferries or freighters is inadequate. Proper feeding and watering of the animals is also not always guaranteed. Despite the enormous stress, there are no mandatory rest periods for animals during transport by ship. The animals have to endure catastrophic hygienic conditions on the ships, sometimes for weeks. Many do not survive the ordeal. Once they arrive in their destination countries, such as Turkey or Lebanon, the remaining animals are slaughtered sooner or later, usually without anesthesia.
