Protesters march to stop export of live farm animals

Animal-rights activists marched through the centre of Cape Town on Saturday to protest the live export of farm animals after a court case was struck off the roll.

The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) approached the Eastern Cape High Court to halt the shipment of 70 000 live sheep from East London to Kuwait later this month on the ground that they were to be transported in inhumane conditions.

The case was struck off the roll due to procedural issues.

Chanting “ban live export”, “stop the cruelty” and “where is the love”, organiser Toni Brockhoven, of Beauty Without Cruelty, said the animals faced inhumane handling and treatment before, during and after the voyage.

According to her, they spend three weeks in transit in their own faecal matter and urine which results in high ammonia levels causing respiratory distress in the sheep. Many do not make it alive.

The sheep are pulled by their fleece, ears, horns and nose and subjected to heat distress.

Director of the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust Shaykh Achmat Sedick handed a petition to member of parliament Kevin Mileham, who accepted it on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza.

Mr Sedick said inhumane treatment of animals was important no matter what religion or denomination.