Campaigners say calves may be on lorries bound for live export shipment from Ramsgate

Calves are bound for the Jolene at Ramsgate Port Photo Kent Animal Save

Campaigners protesting against live animal exports will be gathering in Ramsgate tomorrow afternoon (November 8) ahead of the arrival of lorries carrying sheep and possibly calves.

Members of Kent Action Against Live Exports and other groups will gather at the Royal Harbour Approach  roundabout from 4pm.

The lorries are expected to arrive at Ramsgate Port between 4.30pm and 6pm. The animals are due to be transported to Calais aboard the Joline vessel.

Last month lorries arrived with calves onboard. Campaigners say some were just three weeks old.

Beth Mac, from Kaale, said: “The calves have ear tags with a date of birth so we know some were just three weeks old.

“Sheep are quiet stoic but the calves are very vocal and they were crying the whole time.”

Compassion in World Farming says the unweaned Scottish calves are now coming through Ramsgate after P&O Ferries stopped taking the shipments.

A statement from the group says: “This new calf export route demonstrates the urgent need for a UK-wide ban on live exports for both slaughter and fattening.

“It is clear that, when one export route closes, another will pick up the trade. Nothing short of a ban will stop the cruelty of live exports for good.”

Thanet council – at the time with a Labour ruling group -banned exports from Ramsgate after 47 sheep died at the port in September 2012 but they were forced to make a U-turn by the High Court.

TDC has since paid more than £5.1 million in compensation to individuals and companies involved in the export of live farm animals from the port of Ramsgate for loss of trade.

The claims followed the High Court ruling in December 2013 that TDC’s ban was unlawful and in breach of EU free trade regulations.

According to local campaigner Ian Driver, in the last 7 years there have been 200 shipments involving more than 500,000 sheep from Ramsgate and Dover.

4 Comments

  1. Name and shame the farmers who supply to this foul trade. They care nothing about their animals and bring the whole profession into disrepute.

  2. disgraceful, disgusting and cruel!! THe sight of any animal transporter makes me mad!!! STOP THE CRUELTY!

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