Four of the foulest journeys on earth

Global campaign launched to end the cruel and unnecessary long distance transport of live animals

Undercover footage filmed over two years by a global coalition of animal welfare groups today (February 12) revealed the brutality of transporting animals long distances simply to be slaughtered at the journey’s end.

The WSPA-led Handle with Care coalition, which is comprised of leading international animal welfare groups has come together for the first time to fight this issue, today launched its campaign calling on governments to stop this cruel and unnecessary trade.

WSPA’s Paul Rainger said: “The cruelty these animals endure is completely unacceptable in the 21st century. This trade is one in which millions of animals suffer cruel and unnecessary journeys each year. It must stop.”

The transport of chilled and frozen meat has been going on for more than 125 years. But still millions of cattle, pigs, horses and sheep still suffer and die while being transported unnecessarily long distances each year just to be slaughtered on arrival.

The coalition urges people to see the evidence at www.handlewithcare.tv and add their name to a letter of protest which calls on governments to stop the cruel and unnecessary long distance transport of animals for slaughter. The campaign launched by highlight four of the worst routes involving sheep from Australia to the Middle East, cattle from Brazil to Lebanon, horses from Spain to Italy and Pigs from Canada to Hawaii.

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Notes to Editor

Members of the Handle with Care coalition are World Society for the Protection of Animal (WSPA), Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), RSPCA Australia, Dieren bescherming (Dutch SPCA), Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Danish SPCA), International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH), Humane Society International, Born Free USA and Eurogroup for Animals.

The definition of long distance varies between regions and countries. But for the Handle with Care Coalition it refers to cases where animals are forced to suffer unnecessarily long journeys – often thousands of miles by road and sea – when it would be possible to take them to slaughterhouses close to where they were reared.

For interviews, images or footage call Sarah Pickering on +44 (0)20 7587 5000 / +44 (0) 7801 386 670 and visit www.handlewithcare.tv