The Cruelty of Live Animal Exports: Guardian

The human population tripled since 1950 and the global trade in farm animals has more than quadrupled. “Every year nearly 2 billion farm animals are loaded on to trucks or ships and sent to new countries in journeys that can take days and sometimes weeks,” reports the Guardian. “Every day, at least 5 million animals are in transit.” The animals are grown and fattened in areas that can support feeding and then shipped to areas that cannot. Regulations are slim, and activists express concern about mistreatment of living creatures – long journeys in crowded, hot conditions and disease before slaughters that involve immobilization and a slow death. The World Organisation for Animal Health sets standards on animal health but nations are responsible for enforcement, and monitoring of animal welfare breaks down once the animals cross borders. Eurogroup for Animals calls for a ban on live animal exports and limits for domestic journeys. – YaleGlobal