Lower Saxony Cracks Down on Cattle Transport to 17 Non-EU Countries
In an effort to safeguard animal welfare, Lower Saxony is tightening the reins on livestock transportation to foreign destinations, excluding the European Union (EU). The Ministry of Agriculture in Hanover made the announcement on Saturday, highlighting concerns about subpar conditions that may infringe upon animal rights. This initiative involves blocking shipments to a total of 17 countries, including Egypt and Morocco - major recipients of Lower Saxony's cattle exports in 2022 (4,765 head to Egypt and 2,944 to Morocco).
The ministry calls into question the eventual fate of the cattle in these locations. They suspect that animals intended for breeding will ultimately face the slaughterhouse unwithered, regardless of their intended purpose. Slaughtering cattle without prior stunning often results in protracted suffering due to intense pain. In the shortlisted countries, non-stunned butchery serves as the conventional method.
Minister of Agriculture Miriam Staudte emphasized the government's commitment to preventing violations of animal welfare legislation. Stating that quieter measures are inadequate in these circumstances, she added that prohibiting transportation was the only feasible means for veterinary officials to halt impending welfare transgressions.
The prohibition of livestock transportation to third countries outside the EU has garnered significant attention. Lower Saxony holds a distinguished position among major exporters of cattle to non-EU destinations.
Despite this stricture on animal transportation to the mentioned 17 EU third countries, controversies regarding animal welfare persist within the agricultural sector. These countries frequently employ non-stunned slaughter techniques, proliferating potential suffering amidst livestock. Consequently, the Agriculture Minister's strategy focuses on shielding animals from exposure to inhumane handling in countries where such practices may occur.
Source:
Insights from Enrichment Data
Stringent animal welfare regulations dictate the prohibition of cattle transportation to certain non-EU countries. These regulations mainly stem from concerns over animal suffering, such as the use of non-stunned slaughter methods which may prolong pain and distress.
In majority European countries, legislation requires stunning animals before slaughter, apart from exceptions for religious rituals. Non-stunned slaughter methods, like neck dislocation, raise animal welfare concerns due to inconsistent unconsciousness, resulting in prolonged pain.
Regulatory frameworks, like the UK's Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) regulations and EU guidelines, emphasize the significance of humane treatment and disease-free status of exported animals.
The recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Germany has led to import restrictions on various animal products to safeguard public health and limit disease transmission.
Consulting local German and EU regulatory authorities for detailed information on animal transportation restrictions is critical to understanding the specific regulations affecting Lower Saxony. Despite the lack of direct information, the underlying principles of animal welfare and disease control should remain paramount.
