MOST readers will be familiar with the sight of livestock trucks on the motorway, transporting farmed animals who are easily visible through the slatted sides of the trucks.
What readers may be unaware of, however, is just how far many of these animals travel over land and sea, and the conditions under which those long journeys are made.
Each year, over two million live animals are exported from Europe to overseas destinations, including from British ports such as Ramsgate.
August marks the 20th anniversary of 67,488 sheep burning to death aboard the transport vessel MV Uniceb after it caught fire in the Indian Ocean.
To mark this tragic anniversary, and to raise awareness around the live export of farmed animals, Compassion In World Farming is co-ordinating a global day of action, with events internationally and nationwide including local awareness-raising in Cheshire and a national demonstration in Trafalgar Square.
If we are serious about animal welfare, and if we see animals as sentient beings who feel pain and stress, then we need to end this cruel practice.
Please write to your MP to voice your concern; for more information visit www.notfreight.org.
Jane Smith Co-ordinator, Compassion In World Farming – Cheshire Group
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