Dialogue is an important part of our working strategy. With this in mind, we travel to various mountain regions in Austria to talk to farmers about animal transport and, in particular, about exports to non-EU countries. We repeatedly encounter Austrian animals on long transports, markets, and farms in non-EU countries, and we want to investigate the reasons behind this suffering.
The reactions vary. While some are fully aware of the problem, they do not see themselves as responsible for making a change. Our reports of the numerous and comprehensive problems we encounter on our investigations fall on deaf ears. With others, we sense that concerns about live animal exports prevail and that the debates on this topic also preoccupy farmers. They are grateful for the exchange and interested in our experiences. It is obvious that, like us, they want a sustainable solution for the animals that does not involve such long transports into the unknown. Still, they feel rather helpless in the face of the situation. Once again, it is clear how complex the problems and different backgrounds are that lead to animals being exposed to such suffering during transport. We hope that these discussions will contribute to raising awareness of this important topic and perhaps even to bringing about the structural change that is so urgently needed.
