Shocking undercover film shows cruel traffic in live animals

Feb 12, 2008

A global campaign backed by the world’s leading animal charities is calling for an end to the long distance transport of live animals for slaughter.

The Handle with Care coalition has today released shocking new undercover film footage of the global traffic in live animals and is calling on governments worldwide to bring an end to this trade.

The coalition includes all the leading UK-based animal welfare charities: the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Compassion in World Farming, the RSPCA and the International League for the Protection of Horses.

The film shows how farm animals are being routinely shipped around the world in overcrowded and filthy conditions, on journeys that can take several weeks. Every day thousands of cattle, sheep and pigs die en route from disease, hunger and stress. 

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) Campaigns Director Leah Garcés said: “British people are growing increasingly concerned with the way animals are treated and I am sure they will be horrified by the cruelty and suffering that can clearly be seen in this new undercover film.”

“We were determined to show people the truth of this hidden and brutal traffic in animals – if you see it for yourself – you just know it must be stopped.”

In Europe thousands of horses suffer in crowded conditions on illegal journeys of up to 36 hours from Spain to Italy to be slaughtered for meat.

To launch the campaign in the UK, people are taking to the streets of London with the symbolic placement of an iconic red Routemaster ‘campaign’ bus in Trafalgar Square.

Visitors to London and workers in the capital will be invited to climb on board the parked bus to view special screenings of the investigative film about the cruel trade and sign up to the global campaign. 

The transport of chilled and frozen meat has been going on for more than 125 years, yet millions of cattle, pigs, horses, sheep and other animals still suffer and thousands die while being transported unnecessarily long distances each year - just to be slaughtered on arrival.

See the evidence for yourself and find out more at www.handlewithcare.tv. Then take action: add your name to the letter of protest which calls on EU governments to stop the cruel and unnecessary long distance transport of animals for slaughter. 

The campaign highlights four of the worst routes, these are: sheep from Australia to the Middle East, cattle from Brazil to Lebanon, horses from Spain to Italy and pigs from Canada to Hawaii.