Lecture on animal transport to third countries at the German Judicial Academy

At the invitation of the Hessian Ministry of Justice, we participated in a conference held by the German Judicial Academy in Trier last week. The Judicial Academy provides further training for judges and public prosecutors. The topic of the conference was ‘Animal welfare law – selected fundamentals and current developments’. 

Together with our partner organisation, Animals' Angels, we presented our extensive observations on the transport of animals to third countries. In front of a panel of judges and prosecutors, our project manager, Iris Baumgärtner, and her Animals' Angels colleague provided insights into the reality of these transports. 

Their presentation focused on an issue that has concerned us for years: the lack of effective emergency measures when animals are refused entry by land or sea. Import delays or refusals, combined with the corresponding waiting times for the animals in the transporters, repeatedly lead to dramatic situations and immeasurable suffering for the affected animals.

We are grateful for the intensive dialogue with the judges and prosecutors, and we hope that it will pave the way for the urgent improvements that are needed.