Tuesday 5 December

News

Three bulls die: SVS (State Veterinary Service) launches new investigation

An investigation has been launched after three bulls died during a Channel crossing on November 23, 2006.

Trading standards is currently looking into the incident where a vehicle from the farmer-backed live export co-operative, Anglo European Farmers (AEFC) overturned on a livestock vessel travelling from Dover to Dunkerque on Thursday 23 November.

A vet was called and three cattle were confirmed dead. The State Veterinary Service (SVS) said the incident occurred during heavy sea conditions with winds of force 6-8.

Shortly after news arrived at CIWF Head Office, we contacted our French partners, PMAF, to ask them to contact the harbour master at Dunkerque West, to find out further information or if anyone could verify what happened on the ship. PMAF reported the following:

• The truck could have been overloaded

• 3 cows died; 2 or 3 animals were injured; one was left severely injured and was inspected by a vet

• SVS asked the French authorities for a full report into the incident

• It was alleged that the Marine Coastguard surveyed the vessel and did not find any problems

CIWF wrote to Ben Bradshaw several times with regards to the previous Dover delays on 11 October, highlighting key issues arising from these incidents. CIWF has written once again to Ben Bradshaw re-iterating how the inevitable bad winter weather can cause heavy seas and further serious delays to departures from Dover due to the late arrival of ships. We have stressed that it is essential that there should be near-by holding facilities to which animals can be taken so that they can be unloaded and given feed, water and rest.

Dover Demos

Kent Against Live Exports (KALE) holds monthly demos on the first Saturday of each calendar month. December’s demo was held on Saturday 2, and many KALE members attended along with CIWF’s CEO, Philip Lymbery and Head of Campaigns, Gill Sanders. CIWF staff will be present at the next demo on Saturday 6 January, 2007, so hope to see you down there. These demos are held between 12pm-3pm at Eastern Docks Roundabout. Please contact KALE's information news line on 01304 204688 for more information.

CIWF Campaign Officer, Angelique Davies, says: "These monthly KALE demonstrations in Dover are a positive way of showing unity against the shameful resumption of live exports from the UK. These regular demos reveal how important this issue is to the British public and we will continue to campaign until this unnecessary and horrific trade stops.”

Shipments last week

Friday 1 December, the sea was rough to moderate, wind was about force 7. About 18 people were present to witness the shipment and Kent police also turned out for this shipment.

Shipments expected this week

Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Friday 8 December, this week.