Live animal transports to Israel despite war

Vulnerable cows and sheep are being sent from member states such as Ireland, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and Lithuania into the war zone, where they are exposed to rocket fire, air strikes and mistreatment by desperate port workers and handlers.

Suffering along the transport route

The long journeys to Israel's largest port of Haifa have severe consequences for the health of these sentient beings, causing respiratory illnesses, ulcers, leg injuries, travel sickness and heat stress. Their suffering is further compounded upon arrival in Israel, as they are exposed to daily rocket fire and constant air raid sirens from the port of Haifa to the surrounding quarantine and fattening facilities.

According to reports, a number of dairy farms in the Haifa area have been struck by rockets in recent weeks, killing numerous cows. The unsafe conditions around the port are also prompting workers to remove cattle from ships as quickly as possible using electric prods.

Demand for an immediate export ban

Since the start of the war, more than 100 cattle and sheep shipments have been carried out from Europe to Israel. Since the escalation of the war in the region, livestock continues to be exported to Lebanon.

10 non-governmental organisations, including Eurogroup for Animals and Ethical Farming Ireland, have now addressed a letter to EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, calling for the immediate suspension of all live animal exports to Israel and Lebanon. The suffering of animals during live animal transport is enormous even in peacetime.

Ethical Farming Ireland has also urged Irish Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue not to approve any further shipments to Israel until the conflict is over. Animal rights must be protected even in times of crisis.