Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Don Pinnock
Published on 2024-02-22 18:40:40
Being a vet on a long-distance, animal-translocation ship is a daunting and courageous task. It involves witnessing the worst treatment that humans can inflict on animals while being there to ensure the well-being of the animals. One such vet, Dr. Lynn Simpson, was appointed by the Australian government to accompany shipments to their destination. However, when her reports of the horrific conditions on these ships became too graphic for even the officials who appointed her, she was fired by the agricultural department that permitted the shipments. In response, she set up a blog site to document the harrowing experiences she witnessed on these translocations.
According to Dr. Lynn Simpson, the ships are shrouded in a cloak of stench, with dead animals being lifted into wheelbarrows and pushed up or down ramps for offloading. She describes the ship as filled with a disgusting soup of decomposing body parts, making it challenging for the veterinary staff to even remove the bodies without them falling apart. This kind of treatment is not limited to one specific ship, but is part of the larger multibillion-dollar industry of animal translocation. The world’s seas are filled with farm animals being transported to their destinations for slaughter, with nearly two billion animals estimated to be transported via sea each year.
Much of this trade is destined for the Middle East, leading to the harrowing story of the Al Kuwait, a ship that was headed to the Middle East with 19,000 cattle on board and was found to have substandard conditions for livestock. Despite the efforts of animal welfare organizations like Four Paws and the South African NSPCA, which have called for a ban on animal transport by sea, the practice continues with little government intervention. This is despite the fact that the live export of animals by sea is a gruesome and outdated practice that inflicts unnecessary suffering on sentient beings.
One of the reasons given for the need to ship live animals to mainly Muslim countries is that they need to be slaughtered there according to Halaal laws. However, the cruelty inflicted on these animals during transportation violates Islamic law, which requires animals for consumption to be treated with kindness and respect throughout their lives. As a result, it has been suggested that animals could be slaughtered according to halaal principles in the country of origin and shipped as frozen carcasses, rather than being transported live.
The vessels used for animal translocations are often old cargo ships, repurposed for carrying livestock, and are not equipped to provide adequate conditions for the animals. The European Commission has found that many of these vessels do not comply with EU animal welfare legislation and pose significant maritime safety risks. Additionally, the high mortality rates, mishandling of animals, and lack of transparency persist as ongoing issues.
The inhumane treatment of animals on these ships has resulted in numerous tragic incidents, including high mortality rates, injuries, and even capsizing of vessels. Dr. Lynn Simpson has witnessed firsthand the suffering of animals forced to endure prolonged periods at sea in harsh conditions, which makes their journey even more traumatic.
In conclusion, the practice of animal translocation by sea is not only inhumane but also a significant risk to both animal welfare and maritime safety. Despite efforts by animal welfare organizations and government bodies, the industry continues to operate with minimal oversight. It is clear that urgent action is needed to address the suffering endured by animals in this trade and to ensure that more humane and ethical methods of transporting livestock are adopted.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
