Animals Recently Left Stranded At Sea; Demand An End To Live Transport!

Photo by: Israel Against Live Shipments (FFA)

When a makeshift vessel, not designed for the transportation of large farm animals, becomes stranded at sea, a host of grave dangers arise. From a shortage of food, to the risk of dehydration and heatstroke, the perils facing these animals are both numerous and alarming.

A recent example of this troubling scenario involves the Express M, a transport vessel carrying farm animals to slaughter from Midia, Romania, to Haifa, Israel. Originally meant to be a five-day journey, technical issues extended the trip to 15 days. This tripling of travel time rings alarm bells for global animal welfare organizations like FOUR PAWS, who are increasingly concerned about the conditions animals born and raised in the EU face as they are transported in unsuitable vessels to be slaughtered in non-EU countries.

“When a vessel doubles or even triples its journey time unexpectedly, it raises serious animal welfare concerns – do the animals have enough water and food? How are they dealing with the often already hot temperatures inside? How are ships prepared to take care of animals during unexpected delays? The incident with the Express M transport vessel raises important but hardly discussed questions, said Corinna Reinisch, Programme Lead of Farm Animal Welfare at FOUR PAWS.

“It also puts a spotlight on the severe gaps in EU legislation that – in theory – should protect the wellbeing of animals transported via sea. These gaps are not just ‘legal flaws’ but may ultimately be responsible for the deaths of innocent animals every year,” concluded Reinisch.

A significant number of vessels transporting animals within and outside the EU are antiquated and inadequate, repurposed makeshifts with an average age of nearly 43 years old. These vessels were not initially designed for the transportation of farm animals to be sent to slaughter.

According to the Animal Welfare Foundation, more than 35% of EU-approved livestock carriers have experienced technical failures or incidents—from engine breakdowns to fires and oil spills. The Express M, with over four decades in service, exemplifies this concern. Just three months prior to its recent mishap, the vessel was detained in Portugal due to 25 reported deficiencies.

Israel Against Live Shipments (FFA) witnessed and documented the unsanitary transport conditions of the animals when Express M arrived in Haifa.

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU are currently working on amending the European Commission’s proposal on the protection of animals during transport. FOUR PAWS urges them to strengthen their legislation around animal transport and calls for:

– A ban on live animal transport to third countries

– A ban on live animal transport by sea

– A ban on the transport of unweaned animals

– A prohibition on animal transport in temperatures below 5°C or above 25°C

Take action now! Sign the petition to stop the cruel practice of live animal transport and protect animals from suffering HERE!

FOUR PAWS is a global animal welfare organization dedicated to animals under direct human influence. The foundation works to reveal suffering, rescue animals in need, and protect them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organization advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding.

FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals, including stray dogs and cats; farm animals; and wild animals—such as bears, big cats, and orangutans—kept in inappropriate conditions, as well as those in disaster and conflict zones.

With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam, along with sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions.

If you would like to support FOUR PAWS and their mission to help and protect animals around the world, please consider making a donation HERE!