CIWF staff drove to Dover, joining KALE and 35 supporters to witness this week’s first of three calf shipments to Calais.

The outside temperature was already over 30C, scorching and unbearable – so imagine the heat inside those lorries - for these poor calves their journey still continues.
(For information about animal welfare in hot weather, visit DEFRA’s website)

Five transporter lorries passed by us during the night: the first was a three-tier vehicle, the second a two-tier and the third and forth lorries appeared at around midnight, apparently racing each other. They looked like they were going too fast: at one point, the calves appeared to be tumbling over and banging against the truck sides.

From the outside, it looked as if some of the transporters had no fitted ventilation systems; despite the soaring temperatures.

The stench from these trucks was horrendous.

Shipments expected

There are two more shipments expected this week: Thursday 20 July and Friday 21 July.

Anyone who wishes to attend should contact KALE's information news line on 01304 204688 for more information.

Info from Mark (KALE) Kent Action against Live Exports.

Stranded: 1,800 bulls

CIWF call to halt live exports to the Middle East

CIWF has today called on Brazil to halt live exports to the Middle East following the stranding of 1,800 bulls off the coast of Lebanon.

The owners of The Friesian Express, Vroon, also own The Cormo Express - the ship that left Fremantle (Australia) on 5 August 2003 with over 57,500 sheep bound for Saudi Arabia – the ship was ultimately rejected by Saudi Arabia and had to spend weeks at sea. The live animals that were on board were finally offloaded in Eritrea on 31 October, nine weeks later - nearly 10% of the cargo had died by then (nearly 6,000).

Whilst the animals on board The Friesian Express are now being unloaded at an alternative port in Syria, CIWF is concerned that the animals’ welfare remains at serious risk: Syria is unlikely to be adequately geared up to cope with the transport, holding and slaughter of such a large number of cattle at such short notice.
CIWF is calling on the Embassies of Brazil and Uruguay to request the immediate cessation of all live shipments to the Middle East and to trade in meat instead. Although the animals were not from Uruguay we are concerned for the safety of any animals exported to the Middle East and understand that Uruguay exports animals to South America.


A CIWF investigation late last year in both the Lebanon and Syria uncovered serious problems in the transport and slaughter of imported cattle.

Read more about the press coverage this issue has received

CIWF staff joined supporters in Dover to witness the sailing during the dead of the night. KALE supporters were not there for this shipment due to the increase of shipments that week; we were all gathered at the roundabout. Three high speed Lorries drove down the ramp first, and we could hardly see any calves through the ventilation shafts and high shutters. As the trucks drove down the ramp towards the roundabout, they carried with them a dreadful stench. Thirty minutes later, the forth truck descended. Another hour passed before the fifth truck sped round past all the onlookers.

Next sailing

The next sailing is due out on Tuesday 18 July, followed by another on Thursday 20 July. We will keep the blog updated. 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.