Focus on Animal Transport by Sea – Maria Boada Saña Speaks at Conference in Paris
Maria Boada Saña explains why animals transported by sea are not just suffering in isolated cases, but systemically.
Our film about the outdated livestock fleet in Europe.
Last week, a specialist conference at the Palais du Luxembourg in Paris provided insights into the reality of live animal transport by sea. Our project manager for ship transport, Maria Boada Saña, was there as an expert to highlight the structural causes of animal suffering in live exports by ship.
Various stakeholders took part in the conference: maritime law experts, ship operators, freight experts, animal welfare specialists, and even the French Minister of Transport. The aim was to facilitate a professional exchange on the reality and risks of transporting animals by sea.
Systemic suffering
In her presentation, Maria Boada Saña made it clear that the suffering of animals on transport vessels is not caused by singular incidents. It is predictable and systemic. The problems begin with the construction and certification of the ships.
“The design and approval of these ships are not minor technicalities,” she emphasized, “but the starting point of animal suffering throughout the entire export chain.”
Images that show reality
During the 30-minute presentation, the audience was highly engaged. The images and videos from aboard the ships made a strong impression. They made the real suffering of the animals visible and shifted the discussion away from theoretical assumptions to the actual conditions at sea.
Many participants were surprised by how foreseeable welfare deterioration at sea actually is. The presentation clearly showed that the suffering is not caused by isolated incidents, but by the interaction of several factors – from design flaws to inadequate approval, problematic loading practices to journey conditions and failures at the destination. These risks increase with every hour at sea.
Clear consequences, clear demands
The conference facilitated an evidence-based dialogue between politicians, authorities, legal experts, the shipping industry, and civil society. It became clear that meaningful improvements are possible—but only if structural deficiencies are remedied and responsibilities are consistently enforced at the national and international levels.
The central conclusion of the presentation summed it up: “As long as the system remains unchanged, animal suffering at sea is predictable rather than exceptional.” That is precisely why we are calling for a ban on the transport of live animals by sea.
Our message was very well received. We hope that it will now also provide a framework for future political and legal steps in the area of animal exports by ship.
Recognition of our expertise
Another important success: Together with our partner organization Robin des Bois, we were one of the few animal welfare organizations invited as expert speakers.
This shows that our work and expertise are taken seriously at the EU level—and that our voice carries weight in key political and regulatory debates.