Animal welfare and environmental groups are worried about the safety of ships used to transport live animals by sea in the European Union. Recent reports suggest that many of these vessels may not meet safety standards, which could harm both the animals being transported and maritime safety.
Conditions of the Ships
Investigations found that out of 64 ships used for transporting animals in EU waters, only six meet international safety standards. Most of these are older cargo ships that were not originally built for transporting live animals. This raises concerns about their strength and safety, as they might not provide proper ventilation or suitable conditions for the animals.
Safety Concerns with Flagging
Almost half of these vessels sail under flags from countries marked as high-risk for maritime safety. This indicates that they likely do not follow strict safety rules, which adds to the potential dangers.
Serious Incidents Highlight Risks
There have been several alarming incidents related to transporting livestock by sea. For example, in 2019, a ship named Queen Hind capsized near Romania, drowning over 14,000 sheep. In early 2021, the ships Elbeik and Karim Allah were stuck at sea for more than three months, resulting in the death of thousands of cattle.
Calls for Action
In light of these issues, groups like the Animal Welfare Foundation and Robin des Bois are calling for immediate changes. They suggest banning the use of unsafe vessels for transporting animals, creating stricter safety and welfare rules, and possibly stopping live animal exports to other countries altogether.
EU’s Response and Future Actions
The European Commission has recognized these issues and proposed updates to animal welfare regulations in December 2023, including changes to live animal transport rules. While these changes aim to improve conditions for animals during transport, some NGOs feel that they do not fully address the main problems with sea transport.
This ongoing discussion highlights the need for thorough policies to ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and maritime operations when transporting livestock.
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