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Published 11/06/2015
We have been alerted to the fact that last week a vessel arrived in Jordan on May 28th after eight days at sea, having left the EU from the port of Midia in Romania.
On arrival the vessel was turned away when Jordanian authorities found that 40% of the sheep were dead. However, sources from within Romania have suggested mortalities may have been much higher.
Following checks by the Jordanian authorities it was concluded that the sheep died because they had been left without food or water for the entire eight day journey, but never-the-less those sheep that survived the journey are now stranded at sea with reports that the vessel has been turned away from other countries where it has attempted to dock.
Pru Elliott, Campaign Officer at Compassion in World Farming, says: “Shocking incidents like these are evidence that this is not a trade that can be carried out in a humane way. Long journeys are always stressful, and there are huge risks involved for the animals whether as a result of negligence, faulty vessels or extreme weather.”
“We’ve seen disasters like this happen time and time again – it’s simply not good enough that Europe’s leaders allow this trade to continue unchallenged.”
It is highly likely that more animals have died since the vessel left Jordan, but no official figures are available.
Together with Four Paws Romania, Eyes on Animals, Animal Welfare Foundation and Animals International, we will be raising our very serious concerns with the World Organisation for Animal Health and calling for urgent action to ensure the welfare of any remaining sheep is treated as a priority. We will also lodge complaints with the European Commission and Romanian authorities.
At the time of writing, more livestock are on their way from Romania to Jordan on another vessel with more shipments expected following trade agreements between the Jordanian and Romanian authorities.
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