#BanLiveExports Day - Animals Don't Belong on Vessels

In May, we returned to the port of Cartagena to document animal transports on site. During our investigation, we saw countless trucks arriving at the port, loaded with thousands of frightened lambs that had already endured an agonising journey in overcrowded transporters, without sufficient space, water or rest breaks. In the scorching heat, many of them waited for hours for the next ordeal: transport by sea to countries outside the EU – into an uncertain, cruel future. On #BanLiveExports Day, we therefore call for a stop to animal exports from the EU to third countries once again!

The loading onto the vessels was chaotic and often brutal. Animals were kicked, dragged and poked with electric prods – all in violation of applicable EU animal welfare regulations. But that is only the beginning. As soon as the ships leave EU waters, legal protection for the animals ends. No vets on board, no checks – just endless days on the high seas, with no help for the injured or weak.

What we documented in Cartagena is not an isolated case. We have been observing this cruel business since 2018, and little has improved so far.

Despite growing public concern and years of damning evidence, the Spanish government is pushing ahead with plans to build a new port facility for the export of live animals. In the future, the animals will be loaded further away from urban areas. This will make the cruel business less visible and reduce public scrutiny. Spain remains one of the largest exporters of live animals in the EU, exporting around 500,000 sheep and cattle annually to countries such as Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

While the EU is working on reforming animal transport legislation, the industry is lobbying to abolish time limits for sea transport altogether. This would allow animals to be transported for weeks under the worst conditions – completely legally.

"We are now at a critical moment. As the EU works to revise animal transport legislation, the livestock export industry is lobbying to remove legal time limits on sea transport. If approved, this would mean once an animal boards a ship, it is no longer legally considered ‘in transport’— allowing shipments to last days, weeks, or even months without legal constraints." - Maria Boada-Saña, Project Manager

We urge the European Commission and Member States to act decisively to:

• Ban long-distance live animal exports to non-EU countries
• Ensure enforceable welfare standards apply at all stages, including at sea
• Support a transition to the trade of meat and carcasses instead of live animals

The time to act is now. Every day counts – for thousands of animals.