U*P*D*A*T*E* EXPORT OF LIVE ANIMALS FOR SLAUGHTER NSPCA CALLS UPON GOVERNMENT The NSPCA has contacted the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for an urgent meeting to address the issue of legislation for animals exported for slaughter. “The matter before us is of extreme importance,” explained NSPCA Executive Director, Marcelle Meredith. This has to be addressed as a priority. We shall also meet with our legal team.” The NSPCA’s Application in the Grahamstown High Court on Friday 23 August 2013 failed on urgency. But Judge Nepgen commented that it is correct that the transporting of cattle by ship is cruel. The pertinent issue was the Judge’s recording that if it was found that the Animal Improvement Act No 62 of 1998 was applicable to the export of live animals for slaughter, then the Applicant – the NSPCA - must succeed in the application. Judge Nepgen ruled that the Act is not applicable to animals for slaughter. This is the issue that the NSPCA insists has to be addressed with speed and efficiency by the Department of Agriculture. The Barkly Pearl was loaded with cattle and set sail for Mauritius on Saturday 24 August 2013. Yazbeks Attorneys acting for the Page Farming Trust notified Senior Inspector Andries Venter, the Manager of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit: - “On behalf of our client we give you notice of their intention to export livestock from the East London harbour in approximately 2 weeks time on board the same vessel which left the same harbour over the past weekend. If you wish to make any representations in this regard please do so to the writer and we will take instructions and revert.” The NSPCA reiterates that there are alternatives, that exporting live animals by sea involves suffering but above all, there has to be legal protection for them. We call upon government to act urgently.
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:03:47 +0000
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