Open Letter from Animal Protection Groups to Live Exporters
The Alliance for Animals, with the animal protection sectors in Australia and New Zealand, implore the live export companies trading in Australia to immediately apply a voluntary suspension of all live animal exports to or through the Red Sea
while the risk of attack remains, and suspend any extended journeys to the Middle East via the Cape of Good Hope.
We have grave concerns for the welfare of animals subjected to live export, and especially those travelling to and through the Red Sea region. Reports of escalating violence in the region and targeted attacks on vessels transiting through the area highlight the significant risk to all vessels, including live export ships, their crew and live animal cargo. The current situation involving the MV Bahijah is a concerning example of this, having departed for Israel and doubling-back to Australia due to the risk of attack - a futile 30+ day voyage which could have been avoided. Under no circumstances should these animals, who have already endured so much, be forced to face another export journey.
Most global shipping companies have already suspended marine traffic to and through the Red Sea and we call on live exporters to immediately do the same. The risk to those on board these vessels is extremely serious and extends beyond circumstances that could be mitigated by normal contingency plans. In Australia, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry paused the deployment of independent observers on livestock vessels to all countries in the Middle East region on 9 October 2023 due to the uncertain security conditions; yet animals and live export crews continue to be exposed to those risks.
Sending live export vessels via alternative routes, such as around the Cape of Good Hope, and then sending animals on prolonged road journeys is also unacceptable. These alternatives extend the journey length, and significantly increase risks to the health and welfare of the animals on board. Animal welfare science shows that long transport journeys result in extremely poor animal welfare outcomes; the longer the journey, the greater the risk of suffering.
Continuing to export under these circumstances is indefensible. There is no credible argument that live animals are needed in the region for food security (or other reasons) at this time. The escalating risks greatly outweigh any argument for these journeys to continue. We urge exporters to put the welfare and safety of those aboard live export vessels ahead of commercial interests and immediately suspend all voyages both, to or through the Red Sea, and via the Cape of Good Hope, until the escalating conflict and risk of attack subsides, and the situation can be re-assessed.
Yours sincerely,
Glenys Oogjes Chief Executive Officer, Animals Australia.
Dr Bidda Jones AM Co-Director, Australian Alliance for Animals.
Rebecca Linigen National Director, FOUR PAWS Australia.
Erica Martin Chief Executive Officer, Humane Society International Australia.
Todd Westwood Chief Executive Officer, NZ SPCA
Richard Mussell Chief Executive Office, RSPCA Australia
Rosemary Elliot President, Sentient
Rebecca Tapp Communications and Events Manager, Stop Live Exports
Sue Foster Spokesperson, Vets Against Live Export
Dr Helen Beattie Managing Director, Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa
Ondine Sherman Managing Director and Co-Founder, Voiceless
Ben Pearson Country Director, World Animal Protection Australia and New Zealand.
The letter was sent 7 February 2024.
Photo credit: Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals Media.