Emergency situation currently happening in the Mediterranean waters which we believe to be one of the worst live animal transport cases in recent history.
One week ago we received the info from the journalist Miss Prya Bisambhar that the livestock ship Spiridon II, a vessel built in 1973 flying the Togo flag, has been at sea since 20 September, it departed Montevideo, Uruguay, and arrived in Bandirma, Turkey, on 22 October. Turkish authorities denied the ship entry due to discrepancies in the cattle’s ear-tag records.
Around 75 percent of animals leaving Uruguay go to Turkey. So Turkey and Uruguay have a big trade between them. Transporting live animals by sea is cheaper for some traders. Live animals are easier to transport than frozen meat. To keep costs low, companies use old and unsafe vessels that have been refitted to carry animals.
The Spiridon II is carrying 2,901 cows, including 1,400 pregnant animals, and 20 crew members. At least 58 cows have already died, but all are at risk. The cows are giving birth onboard, and many calves have vanished amidst the horror.
There is no evidence that the ship has recently taken on feed, water, veterinary supplies, or has even been cleaned of the carcasses and excrements. The current position of SPIRIDON II is at West Mediterranean and is sailing back to Uruguay, estimated arrival is on December 14.
According to WOAH guidelines (Chapter 7.2: Transport of animals by sea), the exporting country (Uruguay) remains responsible for animal welfare throughout the entire transport, including unexpected delays and emergency situations.
However, despite repeated warnings from NGOs, veterinarians, and journalists, this situation is escalating into a catastrophic welfare failure.
Conditions are deteriorating fast. The animals are forced to stand in their own manure, unable to sit or rest properly.
No country is accepting responsibility.
These animals have no safe destination. If nothing is done, they will likely be left to die at sea.
This situation violate multiple international welfare standards. This obsolete, violent trade treats sentient beings as goods and we ask a clear statement urging an EU port inspection or emergency access to food, water, and veterinary aid.
2901 Cows. These are numbers that tell a story of a world where animal welfare is the last thing on governments minds.
Send your protest email and urge the Uruguayan Government to act NOW
