Rowen West-Henzell, CIWF Communications Officer:

I was down in Dover late on Tuesday night with a colleague to witness a sailing.

We made our way to the roundabout near the port entrance where the protests are held. There were at least 20 people there and an almost equal quota of police officers to contain them. The lorries started coming - most of them with a police escort purposely taking them the wrong way round the roundabout to avoid driving past us all. The police didn’t seem to be slowing them down either, even though they seemed to be going way quicker than the 20mph speed limit there. Another reason to write to DEFRA.

We could only just make out the odd ear and nose through the ventilation shafts in the lorries as they whizzed past one after the other in the dark. Goodness knows what those calves must have been feeling in there.

Other information came in later on about a possible infringement of regulations on board ship, so I’ll be writing to DEFRA asking for clarification on this, as well as to make a complaint about the speed at which the lorries came in. Ian (KALE) said he heard the sound of calves banging against the side of one lorry because it took the corner at the roundabout so fast.

We’re not sure when the next sailing is due but we will keep the blog posted. Anyone reading should also be aware that KALE is holding its monthly demo in Dover on Saturday 12pm -3pm at Eastern Docks Roundabout. Please contact KALE's information news line on 01304 204688 for more information.

Entry by Rowen West-Henzell, CIWF.

A good morning so far – the Mirror has fulfilled its promise and featured a story on the live calf export trade.

A bad morning because we received news from KALE last night that more calves will be going out of Dover tomorrow night. I will be travelling down with a colleague to bear witness to it.

Up until 2 June, DEFRA reports the number of calves having been exported as 2,109. This seems rather low, given the number of lorries that have left Dover, even excluding the 23 June sailing and the one due out tomorrow night. One explanation could be that lorries are going out at less than full-capacity because take up has not been as high as expected.

Mark Johnson, CIWF Area Contact for Kent and KALE press officer:

Given the number of lorries that have gone my guess (and only that) is more in the region of 3,500 to 4,000 calves on those four shipments.

Rowen West-Henzell, CIWF:

We will be talking to DEFRA and the State Veterinary Service (the authority responsible for inspecting the lorries at Dover) about why the figure is so low and whether lorries are going out half-full.

NEXT SAILING

Lorries will arrive in Dover very late tomorrow night/ early Wednesday morning to sail between 1am and 3am. Anyone who wishes to attend should contact KALE's information news line on 01304 204688 for more information.

Entry by Mark Johnson, CIWF Kent Area Contact and KALE press officer

At least five transporters came through Dover tonight (at least 1,000 calves at a guess); all seem to be exactly the same ones as those which have served AEF (Anglo European Farmers Ltd) in the past weeks. I managed to identify all of them in advance (about an hour) of arriving in Dover; two even came and parked up literally right next to where I was watching for around ten minutes. The calves were within touching distance; and as always, all you could hear was their loud, constant bellowing.

It’s now around nearly 2.30 in the morning and I have just spoken to Ian again; he tells me that the Claymore Ship the calves are due to be sent on has not even berthed yet! I was seeing the first transporters around four hours ago and those little calves had probably been on the road for some six hours prior to that. How long are they now going to have to wait before they even start to get the trucks loaded on the ship? No wonder they were crying out.

Sounds like a good turnout at the docks though; more than 30 people, which considering the short notice tonight was an excellent result - well done everybody.

A good night for what has been done; but a sad night for the sights and sounds that have to go with it.

Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport bows out of the calf export trade due to pressure from CIWF and KALE.

The calves, which were waiting to be sent out from an assembly centre in the area, are now stranded until alternative arrangements are made. We believe the traders are trying to charter a boat to take them to the continent from Dover.

CIWF attended KALE’s June demonstration against live exports in Dover. We joined members of the public with placards, banners and flags. The mood was both positive and determined - nobody would give up until live exports were stopped.

KALE holds regular demonstrations on the first Saturday of every month and also at the Port of Dover when shipments are due. CIWF supports these peaceful events.

Nothing is more poignant and moving than when you look directly into the eyes of the animals – they look so vulnerable. If only they knew the strength of feeling we all felt towards their plight and how we will never give up on them.

Eight lorries carrying calves sailed to Boulogne in the early hours of the morning.

Info from Kent Action against Live Exports.