Overwhelming worldwide support to Ban Live Exports

Last week, in a resounding display of solidarity, activists, NGOS, concerned citizens, and our supporters around the world came together on the 8th annual Ban Live Exports: International Awareness Day to highlight the urgent need to end the inhumane practice of live animal exports.

Global campaigns

On 14th June, a remarkable 120 NGOs across 31 countries took part in the day of action, encouraging their supporters to raise awareness, gather support, and push for legislative changes that improve the welfare of animals in transit and ban live exports.

Across the EU, citizens sent digital postcards showing harrowing images of live exports to EU ministers to urge them to support change. The total number of postcards sent was a fantastic 464, 586.

One particularly impressive stunt came from Forum Animal in Brazil, who projected images and videos of animals suffering during transportation on landmark buildings in Roosevelt Square in San Paolo.

Other NGOs supporting included Mercy for Animals, World Animal Protection, Four Paws, Animal Equality, and Humane Society International who ran campaigns ranging from banner trucks and rallies to digital campaigns and fundraising.

Growing momentum

Here in the UK we launched a petition to the Prime Minister, calling for the promised British live exports ban to be delivered. And our wonderful Patron, Evanna Lynch showed her support by voicing and sharing our new video, which demonstrates the cruelty inflicted by this outdated trade. The video had the potential to be viewed over eighty thousand times.

Elena Artico, our Global Head of Campaigns, said: “This overwhelming response from individuals and organisations has far exceeded our expectations, highlighting the growing momentum and collective determination to end this cruel and unnecessary trade in live animals.

“We’re now closer than ever to ending this misery for millions of animals. Countries such as New Zealand and Brazil have led the way but now the EU must use its current review of animal welfare legislation to strengthen transit laws and ban live exports. And the UK government should overturn its decision to drop legislation that would ban them as a matter of urgency”.