Our team is in Greece checking live exports from the EU to Albania. It is particularly hot on the days we carry out the checks, with our thermometer reading up to 42°C. This is no exception. According to the Greek National Observatory, July was the warmest month since records began in Greece.
The EU regulation on animal transportation - and common sense - would therefore dictate that animal transportation be suspended or carried out at night when it is cooler. After years on the ground and many complaints, we have indeed noticed that animal transports during the day have decreased in Greece. Nevertheless, we are always surprised that livestock trucks are still on the road during the hottest part of the day in such hot countries.
When we spot a pig transport, we realize that the animals are visibly suffering from the heat: They are breathing fast and with their mouths open. Panting is a sign of heat stress, which can be fatal for the animals. Pigs do not sweat and are therefore unable to regulate their body temperature through perspiration. When they are crammed together, as on this transport, the heat makes it even harder for them. We feel sorry for Tito, Demetrios, Andreas and Theodoros, who are breathing rapidly, foaming at the mouth and standing in the middle of a crowd of other pigs. It must be a terrible feeling to be crammed into a truck in this heat with so many other pigs. We also come across a truck with German cows being transported from Greece to Albania. It is 40°C outside. They don't suffer as much from the heat as the pigs we encountered, but they too are crowded together, especially on the lower deck. Karlotta even bumps her pelvis on the bars of the truck several times because it's too cramped. Seeing this hurts us too. Hannah, Ella, Sophia, Jette, Hermine and Editha on the upper deck bump their backs against the ceiling of the truck, which is even more uncomfortable.
As the trucks pass through customs and border controls in Greece to enter Albania, we don't see any vets examining the animals. Even though this is required by law!
Long story short, the transports continue undisturbed, overcrowded and in scorching heat because the law is not clear enough and industry interests are taking advantage of this. We will complain to the relevant authorities about these cases and what we consider to be an untenable situation.
