WES-KAAP. – Die Al Kuwait, onderweg na Irak, het gisteraand die Kaapstadse hawe met 19 000 beeste aan boord verlaat. Die stank wat dae lank oor Kaapstad gehang het, is wel saam met die skip en sy beeste vort, maar bekommernis van diereliefhebbers het agtergebly.
Alderman JP Smith van die DA in Kaapstad het vir bekommerde diereliefhebbers met ‘n WhatsApp (verderaan ingesluit) die posisie van die DBV verduidelik sou ‘n hofbevel toegeken word vir die diere om in Kaapstad afgelaai te word.
Op ‘n navraag van Nuusflits het Al Mawashi in ‘n e-pos te kenne gegee hulle dra geen kennis van die skip met sy versending beeste nie.
Die NSPCA het die vertrek van die Al Kuwait in ‘n verklaring bevestig.
Alderman JP Smith het op die End Live Animal Export SA WhatsApp-groep soos volg reageer en ook sy toekomstige ondersteuning verseker:
I asked the SPCA what the maximum action was that could be taken in terms of Animal Protection Act. The challenge was that approaching the court to attempt to seize the ship and offload the animals would require them to take responsibility for accommodating and feeding the animals after the quarantine processes and that the resources and facilities for this simply do not exist. It was not for lack of willingness on their behalf.
We also explored through our legal advisors what the legal powers of the City was and confirmed that the Environmental Health By-law and others did not apply to the vessels on the water in the port. That power lies with Port Health which we contacted.
The bottom line is that Live Export is an abhorrent practise and we must continue to pressurize national government to ban it and allow for measures to take such action as is legally possible against international vessels stopping in our ports.
Lees die volledige verklaring van die NSPCA hier onder:
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) confirms the departure of the Al Kuwait, the livestock carrier that recently docked in Cape Town Harbour. The vessel will set sail for Iraq this evening, after the required feed is loaded onto the vessel.
The NSPCA, with the assistance of its member Society – the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, conducted an inspection of the vessel from Sunday, 18 February 2024 to Tuesday, 20 February 2024. The scenes on the vessel were abhorrent, with an extreme build-up of faeces and urine, and animals having no option but to rest in dams of their own excrement.
Compromised animals were discovered, including diseased and injured animals. The NSPCA humanely euthanised eight cows aboard the ship and others were found dead. NSPCA Veterinary Consultant, Dr Bryce Marock, ensured veterinary treatment of other animals.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that the live export of animals by sea is a gruesome and outdated practice that inflicts unnecessary suffering on sentient beings. It underscores the urgent need for legislative reform and heightened global awareness to end this cruelty once and for all. This method of trade causes pain, suffering and distress to many animals, including high mortality rates occurring during the voyage.
The NSPCA stands firm in its assertion that no country possesses the capacity or competence to ensure or guarantee adequate animal welfare standards aboard livestock vessels.
The NSPCA expresses gratitude towards the South African government for permitting the ship to dock for the crucial purpose of loading feed. The potential consequences of leaving those animals without sustenance during the arduous journey are unfathomable. We appreciate the government’s recognition, now more than ever, of the necessity for regulations rather than mere guidelines regarding the export of animals. While a complete ban on live animal exports via sea remains the ultimate goal, we urge the government to refrain from authorising another shipment from South Africa until these regulations are firmly established as a matter of utmost urgency.
The NSPCA extends its heartfelt gratitude to the unwavering support of the public, both locally and internationally. We are extremely grateful for Animals Australia, our Australian counterpart for their dedication to our cause. Together, we strive towards a future where the exploitation and suffering of animals in the name of commerce are no longer tolerated.
Sithembele Qomoyi van Al Mawashi het op navraag van Nuusflits soos volg reageer:
Good day
Kindly take note that Al Mawashi SA is totally unaware of the said shipment, or the cargo and is not involved in the said shipment. There are strict guidelines applicable to the export of live stock and the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development is the regulating authority.
Vessels such as the Al Kuwait are chartered by other organisations in order to transport live stock by sea. The vessel complies with all the relevant requirements for the purpose of transporting live stock by sea and has recently been issued with a certified of compliance by the Australian authorities.
Unfortunately, the NSPCA regards any vessel transporting live stock by sea as a “death ship”. They have repeatedly launched applications in the Eastern Cape to prohibit Al Mawashi SA from exporting live stock by sea to the Middle East. These applications were all dismissed with costs. “
Regards
