'Blatant disregard' of humane transport rules (From Gazette & Herald)

'Blatant disregard' of humane transport rules

THE RSPCA this week presented to animal welfare minister Eliot Morley what it described as a catalogue of cruelty in the long-distance transport of livestock in Europe.

Society undercover investigators "witnessed blatant disregard for transport laws and the welfare of animals" and a video was prepared. Exhausted sheep were found dead and dying after a nine-day "horror journey"; they filmed a calf being shoved into the closed storage compartment beneath a lorry.

The RSPCA says that not only do animals suffer "on a vast scale", but the consumer can be left with a poorer product.

A spokesman said that the European Commission has admitted there is poor enforcement of current laws and that changes have been proposed but delayed. "It appears the commission is caving in to pressure from the industry."

The society wants tougher rules to govern transport of livestock; its favoured position is transport on the hook, not on the hoof.

It points out that tens of thousands of sheep are transported from the UK to mainland Europe for slaughter every month. Once transported "they may disappear into holding stations and could then be sent for slaughter in any part of the continent as dealers seek out the highest profit".

Updated: 14:19 Wednesday, May 14, 2003