Letter to EU Commissioner: Stop Live Animal Exports to Israel
A missile hits the port of Haifa, very closely to an animal transport vessel unloading thousands of animals. (Source: Israel Against Live Shipments)
The port of Haifa is considered the most important port for animal transport ships in Israel. Although the country is currently at war with Iran, the EU continues to export animals to Israel. This is unacceptable. Together with 21 other animal welfare organisations, our partners at Animal Welfare Foundation have sent a letter to the responsible EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, calling on him to immediately stop exports of live animals from the EU to Israel.
In view of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the organizations call on the European Commission to immediately suspend all exports of live animals from the EU to Israel. The port of Haifa is located in a region that is currently the scene of heavy fighting. Only recently, the area was hit by missiles several times, killing civilians.
According to reports, the unloading of a ship carrying 5,000 lambs was also affected during an attack. Animals on trucks were exposed to the attacks without protection, and the workers involved had to seek shelter. Only days later, another missile struck very closely to a livestock vessel that had been carrying around 8,000 sheep and young bulls. Some animals were still on board when the missile hit. Meanwhile, new ships were already en route to the port.
These transports pose a serious risk to animal welfare and violate applicable EU law, which prohibits unnecessary suffering of animals during transport. As long as safety cannot be guaranteed on the ground, the EU must not undermine its own animal welfare standards.