Live animal exports are an important market for South African livestock farmers, but strict animal welfare protocols are in place to ensure no animal cruelty.
That’s the standpoint of the local red meat industry, which faces a barrage of inquiries in the wake of a live export cattle ship controversy that wafted a nauseating odour over the Cape Town CBD on Monday.
Unlike the seemingly unhygienic scenes aboard the Al Kuwait — flagged this week by local animal welfare officials — South African animal exports are strictly controlled as per guidelines set down by government, according to Red Meat Producers Organisation CEO Frikkie Maré. The guidelines were the product of public participation, and involved independent observers aboard livestock ships.
“Our track record in terms of exports is really excellent — we have less mortality on ships than there is in South African feedlots,” Maré told TimesLIVE Premium. “We make sure livestock is not overcrowded, has enough food and medicine and that ventilation is up to standard.
“Live exports is an alternative market for us, but we should do this responsibly — animals have rights as well, and they should be treated fairly,” Maré said.
He said additional safety protocols were drawn up by an Eastern Cape exporters forum due to East London being the sole port of exit for South African livestock. “They also ensure that this protocol is followed when animals are exported from East London harbour.”
According to my understanding there’s a huge market for live animals to be slaughtered according to certain religions. First prize would be to export carcasses, but one cannot argue against a person’s religion.
— Red Meat Producers Organisation CEO Frikkie Maré.
Sheep, not cattle, is South Africa’s major live export, with Kuwait, Mauritius and Madagascar the top three export destinations. Live animals are preferred “for religious reasons” — so that they can be slaughtered in the receiving nation within a certain period. “According to my understanding there’s a huge market for live animals to be slaughtered according to certain religions. First prize would be to export carcasses, but one cannot argue against a person’s religion.”
Dewald Olivier, executive director of the Red Meat Industry Services, said temperature control was a key consideration when transporting live animals. He said industry protocols also applied to lengthy road transport, with animals sometimes travelling the length of the country on trucks. “The welfare of animals is very important to us,” Olivier said during an interview with CapeTalk radio.
Some residents staged a protest close to the Al Kuwait ship on Tuesday. The vessel, carrying about 19,000 cattle, is on its way to Iraq from Brazil. It docked in Cape Town to replenish supplies.
Protesters are demanding South Africa ban the export of live animals. “This is a cause very close to my heart,” said Carli Costa, who previously protested against the export of animals from East London. “It is absolutely horrible that animals must suffer.”
At least five animals had to be euthanised after NSPCA officials inspected the vessel on Sunday night and again on Monday. They obtained a court order to board.
News of the ship has made international headlines and prompted criticism from several quarters, including the City of Cape Town.
Late on Tuesday the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute added their voice to those calling for the live export ban: “The stench from the ship — which has polluted much of Cape Town — tells the story of the level of suffering and abuse suffered by the confined animals on the ship,” said SAFCEI.
“Our policy decisions should not allow abuse of innocent farmed animals solely for the benefit of humankind. All of our faith texts call for our care and compassion for other living creatures, and such a practice of live transport for slaughter should never be done,” the statement said.
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