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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th January 2019
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RSPCA forces lorry to rest 247 calves on long-distance transportation
The journey of live calves was estimated to take 70 hours.

Fresh concerns over welfare of live exports

The RSPCA successfully stopped a lorry transporting 247 calves after it was at risk of exceeding the legal maximum live transport time.

Currently, calves are not allowed to be transported for more than nine hours before a one-hour rest period, and not for longer than 21 hours before a 24-hour rest period.

The lorry in question was stopped at Ramsgate port where the animals were due to be transferred to a delayed ship. The journey was estimated to be a planned 70 hours in length; travelling from Scotland to Spain.

Ruminant welfare specialist at the RSPCA, John Avizienius, commented: “This is a stark reminder that our current laws do not go far enough to protect those animals transported across long distances.

“Currently, transport companies arrange and time the distances down to the minute to take these animals on a journey as long as legally possible, but this week’s journey shows that just one delay can mean a breach of the law.

“Until the long-distance live transport of animals is banned completely, we can never be sure that animals will not continue to suffer on these long, arduous journeys across the continent.

“Currently, sheep, calves, chickens and horses are all exported from the UK, and once they’re off the ship on the continent, we aren’t there to protect them and don’t know how long they’ll be transported.

“Having seen photographs of the calves, we have concerns about their hydration and general health and the question needs to be asked as to whether they were really fit to travel?

“The RSPCA wants to see an end to this cruel practice.”

Image (c) RSPCA



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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.