Thousands of animals detained due to tax dispute in Casablanca
Images from Casablanca show the animals being crammed onto trucks. (Source: Anonymous)
The scandal surrounding detained transport ships carrying animals in Morocco continues to escalate. In addition to the 4,500 cattle originally from Brazil, a Spanish ship has now been affected too. We are taking immediate action and calling on the European Commission, as well as the Moroccan and Spanish authorities, to unload the animals into stables as quickly as possible.
The vessel, named FALCON UA, departed from Tarragona, Spain, on 4 September with 1,166 head of cattle on board, reaching the port of Casablanca on 9 September. However, instead of unloading the animals, customs detained the ship in port. According to an anonymous source, the reason was the same as for the Brazilian ships: the additional payment of VAT.
After the importer paid a deposit of €500,000, half of the Spanish bulls were loaded onto trucks on 10 September. However, they were still not permitted to leave the port.
First deaths
As a video shows, the vehicles have no roof, leaving the animals exposed to the blazing Moroccan sun without any protection. They are also so tightly crammed in that they cannot lie down, which makes it impossible to provide them with food and water. According to the source, at least four animals died in agony.
Previously, 4,500 Brazilian cattle had already been detained in Morocco for the same reason. However, the ships have since left the port of Casablanca.
Disasters are inevitable
It is unacceptable for such disputes over money to be played out at the expense of defenceless animals. This case once again shows that 'farm' animals are degraded to mere commodities in global trade, whose welfare plays no part in disputes over money and responsibilities.
There is no international law protecting animals in such situations. Even the European Commission acknowledges in its audits that the international dimension of third-country exports makes improvements almost impossible.
Such tragedies are inevitable as long as cross-border trade in live animals continues. The transport of sentient beings across continents must stop.
We have now emailed the European Commission, the Spanish authorities, and other relevant bodies, urging them to take immediate action to support the competent authorities in Spain and Morocco in resolving this situation by moving the animals into stables.
12 September 2025: UPDATE
According to our sources, the animals have now been unloaded and the trucks have left the port of Casablanca!