Compassion in World Farming has joined with other major animal welfare organisations worldwide in the 'Handle with Care' (HWC) global campaign to stop the long distance transport of animals for slaughter.
Launched in Australia on 11 February 2008, HWC is led by The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
Each year, millions of lambs, sheep, pigs, goats, calves, cattle, horses and donkeys are transported around the world. Animals are often transported in overcrowded conditions, with lack of access to water, food and rest.
Young, sick or injured animals are also transported; these animals travel particularly badly and are more susceptible to disease and distress. As the journeys wear on, the animals become increasingly exhausted and dehydrated. Some get injured or collapse, whilst others die. This inhumane trade results in great suffering.
The long distance transportation of farm animals for slaughter is an unnecessary trade. HWC is calling for its replacement by a trade in meat.
In Australia, CIWF has joined with WSPA, the RSPCA and Animals Australia to call for an end to the live export of sheep to the Middle East and an expansion of the current trade in chilled and frozen meat from animals more humanely transported and slaughtered in Australia.
Although long distance transport of animals is a global problem, the Australian trade has been identified by HWC as the world’s worst, in terms of numbers of animals exported and the extent of associated suffering. During the last 30 years Australia has exported more than 150 million sheep and cattle, the majority of them to the Middle East. Up to 100,000 animals per voyage are transported by ship to the Middle East. More than 2 million animals have died en route.
TAKE ACTION: to learn more about the HWC and register your support for an end to the long distance transport of animals for slaughter visit www.handlewithcare.tv/au.