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.

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