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21. May 2019

Germany | Alliance 90/The Greens meeting on animal exports to non-EU countries

We are reporting on the risks for animals during transport in non-EU countries.

The urgent need for action concerning the export of bovines to non-EU countries is discussed at an information event by the German party "Alliance 90/The Greens" under the leadership of Bernd Voß (Member of the Landtag Schleswig-Holstein). We report on the situation of certain non-EU export routes and inform about inspection reports published by…

29. April 2019

Poland | Bodzentyn, Lagow | Monthly Report April: Cattle & Horse Markets

We are writing down the ear tag number of an emaciated cow.

Whilst inspecting the cattle market in Lagow, our team notices a cow with overgrown hooves. We are taking photos and writing down the ear tag number. In the meantime, the trader who bought the animal to the markets starts yelling at us. The Veterinary Inspector sees the whole situation and decides to thoroughly inspect the trader`s documents and…

17. April 2019

Slovenia, Italy | Transport of lambs

Italian police stopping a Hungarian truck with lambs.

Every year before Easter, Italy imports tens of thousands of lambs for slaughter, mainly from Romania and Hungary. AWF|TSB teams check on the transport conditions, supported by the Italian animal welfare organisation ENPA. We inspect a total of eleven trucks, three of them together with the Italian police. All three are in breach of the EU animal…

21. March 2019

Ireland | Grange | EU Animal Welfare Platform: Animal Transports

Calves trying to drink water from pig drinkers.

For the second time stakeholders and experts meet in Grange (DG SANTE) to discuss animal transport issues. The claims of our laywers against the EU Commission supported the focus projects on the agenda. In three working groups cattle exports, transport of unweaned calves and extreme temperatures are discussed. The platform was initiated to give…

15. March 2019

Germany | Round table discussion about animal exports

The Ministry for Environment of the federal country of Hessen stopped with a decision animal exports to 14 third countries. The reason is concrete evidence of risks for the animals´ welfare during transport and slaughter. During the round table discussion, where we are participating, the industry is requested to provide evidence that the…

12. March 2019

Poland | Skaryszew | Horse market and vehicle inspection

The TSB|AWF and Eyes on Animals (EonA) team returns for the 4th time to Skaryszew to evaluate whether anything has changed at the annual horse market. Chances for a lasting change are higher with a new Mayor elected last autumn. In February, we were invited to give a training on legal requirements related to the market operation. The participants…

28. February 2019

Poland | Swietokrzyskie | Monthly Report February: Farm Animal Service (FAS)

Czastkow. We trimm the hooves of a lame mare.

Our FAS team still treats the canker in one of the hooves of a mare in Brody. This is one of the most difficult and demanding cases in our work. We change the treatment method yet again, and additionally draw the hoof profile to prepare special horse shoes with a plate to hold the dressing. This will improve the protection of the fragile and…

25. February 2019

Poland | Bodzentyn | Monthly Report February: Cattle & Horse Markets

Empty cattle market after revealing scandal related to selling meat of downer animals.

After a big scandal in Poland related to selling meat of downer cattle (revealed at the end of January), there is much less animals at the Bodzentyn animal market. Sometimes we see only around 80 animals, some days there are more. We are told that the price of bovines is very low. Many animals are not sold and go back to the farms. Even Veterinary…

28. January 2019

Poland | Bodzentyn, Lagow | Monthly Report January Cattle & Horse Markets

Dangerous reloading of cattle in Bodzentyn

Not much is going on at the horse market in Bodzentyn. Sometimes we only see about 15 horses, some days no one shows up. The number of animals is also decreasing at Lagow cattle market. We are informed that the Mayor seriously considers closing the market in Lagow. In Bodzentyn the average number of cattle is decreasing as well, however it still…