Animals' Angels is at the port of Cádiz, southern Spain documenting the transport of calves to the Canary Island of Tenerife. On board, there are 120 calves between 2 and 5 months old enduring an extremely long journey on one of the longest routes in the EU.
The ferry journey from Cadiz to Tenerife lasts 44 hours, but this is only part of the trip. Including the time before and after the ferry, the calves remain confined in the truck for a total of at least 2 days and 10 hours without interruption. Upon arrival, in Tenerife, we had the opportunity to see the animals on board the truck. The calves Emilia, Magnus and Alma show clear signs of distress, including persistent coughing. Others lie exhausted on the truck’s dirty and wet floor, further proof of the inadequate conditions they endure.
These calves come from various European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Italy. For example, the German calves Liesel and Greti were transported at the age of around one month to an Italian assembly centre where their trail vanishes then. But obviously they were transported subsequently to the north of Spain and from there over more than 2,600 km further to Tenerife to be fattened and slaughtered. Upon arrival in Tenerife, they are both just five months old and have already been subjected to three long-distance transports. This complex transport system not only prolongs the animals' suffering but also exposes serious shortcomings in the current regulations.
As highlighted in our new dossier “Sea transport by roll-on-roll-off ferries – the journey times at sea matter!” www.animals-angels.de/dossier-journeytimes-roro-ferries, urgent reforms to European regulation are necessary to improve animal welfare during these journeys. Key measures include recognizing the ferry time on sea as part of total transport time and banning long journeys for unweaned calves. Proper veterinary checks, adequate space and access to food and water must be ensured for the animals on Ro-Ro ferry transports, and rest facilities at ports must be established. Additionally, subsidies supporting live animal transport for slaughter must be replaced with policies that promote meat trade and sustainable livestock practices in the Canary Islands.
This journey is yet another example of the failures of the current system. Without significant changes, animals continue to endure exhausting journeys and unacceptable conditions. We keep exposing these practices and demanding improvements for their welfare.
