RSPCA: More sheep sail from Ramsgate in freezing conditions
More than 1200 sheep sailed from the port of Ramsgate in sub zero conditions and despite a force five to seven gale warning on Friday morning as RSPCA inspectors again attended the port.
Two trailers loaded with sheep arrived at the port just after 7am and were inspected by animal health officers before being loaded onto the Joline.
Two more transporters arrived at 7.30am and were given one minute and three minute inspections before being loaded onto the ship.
The Joline sailed at 8.45am on Friday.
RSPCA chief inspector Steve Dockery was at the port. He said: “The conditions were freezing – it was bitterly cold and we have to remember that this ship has open sides so these animals will be exposed to the elements during the crossing.”
The RSPCA is calling for an end to the live export of animals and has requested a Judicial Review into the trade.
The charity already has more than 30,000 signatures on an e-petition to stop the trade.
The e-petition on the Number 10 website calls on the Government to immediately and finally end the transport of live animals to the continent. The petition can be found at the following address: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42002
The petition to Defra calls for all meat to be exported on the hook and not on the hoof, and that animals should be slaughtered humanely as close to their farm of origin as possible and subject to CCTV monitoring, and calls for the full costs incurred by live exports to be met by the hauliers and shipment industry rather than by the taxpayers.
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RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
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