Tierschutzbund Zürich

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Investigation on Cattle Feedlots in Mercosur Countries

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EU: Beendet das Leid der Tiere beim Transport

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The blood business with pregnant mares

Investigative report from Argentina and Uruguay

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Top News

18. August 2026

Open Letter: The Council of States Must Make Animal Welfare a Condition

In an open letter, we—along with 15 other animal welfare organizations—are calling for binding animal welfare standards in the Mercosur agreement. During the fall session, the Council of States will debate the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries. Among other things, it is intended to facilitate market access for beef from Argentina,…

21. July 2026

Complaint Against the New License for Iceland’s Blood Farms

The Icelandic Veterinary Authority (MAST) has unexpectedly granted the pharmaceutical company Ísteka a new, two-year license to collect blood from pregnant mares. In doing so, it is acting in violation of current law. We will not accept this. Together with partner organizations, we are taking legal action against this decision.

30. June 2026

Waiting Times at the Slaughterhouse During the Heat Wave – Birds Suffer from Heat Stress

A heat wave is currently sweeping across Germany. At the same time, the grilling season is in full swing, demand for meat is high—and so is the number of animal transports to slaughterhouses. For animals already stressed by transport, the high temperatures pose an additional, significant burden.

The turkeys in this truck are panting. That's a clear sign of heat stress.

News

21. July 2026

“Neue Zürcher Zeitung” Reports on Animal Exports from the EU by Sea

A journalist from the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” (NZZ) accompanied our project manager, Maria Boada-Saña, on an assignment in Cartagena for his report on the export of live animals by ship. The resulting article provides insight into an otherwise hidden industry in which sentient beings are treated merely as “commodities.”

For several days, the author…

13. July 2026

Media Coverage of the Livestock Carrier Fleet Report 2026

Our Livestock Carrier Fleet Report 2026 has received international media attention. Numerous media outlets and other NGOs have reported on our investigation into the global fleet of livestock vessels and the serious animal welfare concerns identified. Below you will find a selection of media coverage from around the world.

Animals Today (NL)

09. July 2026

Press Release: Romania Is Not a Reliable Partner for the Resumption of Live Animal Exports - Investigation from May Reveals Major Violation of Animal Identification Rules and Welfare Problems

Following the long-standing ban on the transport of sheep and goats from Romania within Europe, the European Commission has now also prohibited exports from Romania to third countries. A new investigation at the Port of Midia underscores why these disease control measures were necessary. It reveals serious failures in animal traceability,…

03. July 2026

Our partner organization AWF at the EU Platform for Animal Welfare

Tea Dronjić, project manager at our partner organization, the Animal Welfare Foundation, participated in the 19th EU Platform on Animal Welfare. At the event, which was organized and chaired by the European Commission, representatives from all EU member states, the European Commission, scientists, industry representatives, and experts from selected…

30. June 2026

Swiss broadcaster SRF reports on our investigation into cattle feedlots in South America

Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) has covered our report on cattle feedlots in Mercosur countries. Among other things, our undercover investigation was featured on the consumer affairs programs “Kassensturz” and “Espresso.” The investigation was also highlighted in an online article.

In our report, we document serious animal welfare violations at…

29. June 2026

New Report Reveals Alarming Conditions in the Global Livestock Carrier Fleet

A new international report reveals that the global livestock carrier fleet consists predominantly of decades-old, converted cargo ships. Of the world's 159 officially registered livestock carriers, 134 were not originally built to transport live animals. These converted vessels are significantly more likely to suffer from serious technical…

24. June 2026

[Translate to TSB: English:] Das Märchen von der Weide - Recherchen zu Tierleid in Feedlots durch den EU-Mercosur-Handel

New Film about Cattle Feedlots in South America

Bovine meat from South America is sometimes marketed as a premium product in Europe—yet the production conditions behind it usually remain hidden. Our new film reveals the reality behind the meat often marketed as “High Quality Beef”—and documents conditions that are hardly compatible with expectations for animal welfare.

Between August 2025 and…

23. June 2026

Numerous media outlets, primarily in Austria but also internationally, have reported on the trial. We were there and provided journalists with information about the issues surrounding the transport of live animals by ship.

Press Reports on the Court Hearing in the “Spiridon II” Case

The court hearing at the Krems Regional Court (AT) in the case of the livestock transport vessel “Spiridon II” has attracted significant attention both in Austria and internationally. Numerous media outlets reported on the civil trial, which dealt with the failed transport of nearly 3,000 cattle from Uruguay to Turkey organized by an Austrian…

15. June 2026

Press Release: 50,000 Signatures Against Animal Transport to War Zones Submitted to the EU Commission

While bombs are falling in the Middle East, EU Member States continue to export live animals to the region, with the European Commission (EC) refusing to be held accountable. Public outcry is growing: With the support of the Eurogroup for Animals, the French animal welfare organisation Welfarm, and the German NGO Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF)…