The fight continues for the NSPCA who are challenging the cruel act of mass live animal export from South Africa; they are working to prevent cruelty and need a helping hand.
South Africa (30 July 2023) – We want to start off by saying that this article may not feel like good news, and it isn’t – What it is, is a glimpse into the endless dedication and commitment to the end of animal cruelty in South Africa. It showcases the heroes of animal welfare who face harrowing cases and fight them without fail. It brings to light the pain and suffering of animals and rallies the public to take a stand and say “no more”! So if you take away just one thing today, let it be that when in need, the NSPCA will be there for any animal – big or small!
The NSPCA is working to end the shipment of animals via sea to lands far away. This method of export is considered cruel and the teams are working hard to bring it to an end. Last year they celebrated a few small victories but alas, the team are once again visiting the holding areas where sheep are being delivered for export and finding utter neglect and harrowing cases of cruelty.
In 2020, Advocate Gerri Nel joined the team to take the cause to court. By 2022, they were celebrating a small victory in their fight against live exportation. Even with these wins, the fight continues.
The NSPCA recently issued an email to all supporters of this cause, highlighting that the preparations for mass exportation were underway yet again and already, they were witnessing devastating neglect. Not wanting to lose ground, the organisation is once again rallying supporters to voice their disapproval of this kind of exportation and to aid the NSPCA in continuing their court battle and providing the resources needed for the team on the ground at the feedlot.
Below is the email sent out. Be advised, it’s not easy to read and parts are quite upsetting but the details shared, are the reality that inspectors are witnessing daily.
“Since 17th July 2023 teams of Inspectors have been in the Eastern Cape inspecting another shipment of 49 000 animals destined for export by sea, being housed at the Page Farming Trust feedlot, Eastern Cape and exported by Al Mawashi and Livestock Transport and Trading Company PSC (KLTT), fully supported by the SA Government and the Red Meat Industry Forum.
They have not adhered to the Governments “Guidelines for the Exportation of Live Animals by Sea”. At the feedlot the Inspectors found significant animal welfare concerns including: the pelleted food for the sheep had run out; obviously pregnant ewes, new-born lambs from those sheep who had given birth as well as aborted young, they had not been scanned to determine pregnancy. Other compromised animals including lame sheep, sheep with foot rot, pink eye throughout the pens and emaciated and moribund sheep.
The Government, State Veterinary Department failed to uphold their ‘Guidelines’, the Exporter failed to adhere the ‘Guidelines’ and still the exporter advised us, that regardless, loading would commence on 20 July 2023 onto the Al Messilah vessel.
In this dire situation, to halt the loading of animals until the guidelines were adhered to, on 19/7/2023 the NSPCA applied for an Urgent High Court Interdict in the Grahamstown High Court. Despite these appalling conditions of the animals at the feedlot and a well set out case, the Acting Judge did not hear the merits of the matter and only heard argument on urgency. The loading was then permitted to commence on 20/7/2023.
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Regardless of enormous challenges and personal sacrifice, the NSPCA Inspectors are still at the feedlot and harbour, doing their utmost to prevent suffering to these animals. It has taken enormous physical and mental toll on the 16 inspectors who have been working 12 hours daily, and yet we still have no confirmed departure date. “The accommodation, fuel and welfare costs of keeping the Inspectorate team on site are escalating daily. But while these animals are on South African soil, we will not leave them” Marcelle Meredith, Executive Director, NSPCA.
The NSPCA has pending cruelty cases and while waiting for the cases to be heard in court the suffering is ongoing. Please support us in ending the cruelty once and for all. Further updates to follow.”
For those wanting to support the inspectors that are working at the feedlot, banking details can be found below. It is heartbreaking to share this story however, we draw hope from the fact that the NSPCA has remained committed to seeing this type of export ended. Without their dedication to the cause, who knows what could happen?! So for that, we thank them.
Banking Details
Account Name: SPCA National Council of SA
Bank: Standard Bank
Account No.: 220 639 744
Branch Code: 051 001
Swift code for international EFTs: SBZAZAJJ
Reference: EXPORT
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