Despite the call from Commissioner Andriukaitis and the mobilization of dozens of NGOs for animal rights, the Romanian government refused to stop this death expedition, in flagrant violation of EU law. GAIA calls on the European Commission to take vigorous action against Romania and calls for an urgent infringement procedure.

Despite attempts this week to stop the cruel shipment of 70,000 sheep from Romania to the Persian Gulf, the trucks arrived in the port of Midia, on the Romanian coast of the Black Sea, and the loading activities started. GAIA calls on the European Commission to take vigorous action against Romania for violation of EU legislation to protect animals during transport.

The Romanian authorities have ignored the request from Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, to the Romanian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Petre Daea to stop the transport of live animals to Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates Emirates.
In his plea, Commissioner Andriukaitis emphasized the impossibility of complying with EU provisions on animal welfare under extreme temperature conditions on the sea route.

Sources in the Romanian port of Midia claim that they could not approach the ship - the Al Shuwaikh, owned by Kuwait's Livestock Transport & Trading (KLTT) - but that everyone could hear the animals clearly and clearly.

Sheep boiling under their skin

For decades, such ships have been exporting live animals whose meat is sold in the Middle East or the Middle East.
In 2018 researchers from the Animal Australia NGO were able to enter KLTT's ships.
They found panting animals, near suffocation, literally boiling under their skin.
Packed in boxes to maximize profit, some do not reach the feeders and troughs.
They undergo extreme heat.
Many die buried under their own excrement.
Others suffer for weeks at sea.
Because of the combination of heat and humidity that reaches unsustainable levels, the sheep cook alive in the holds of ships.
But for those who survive, suffering never stops.

Violation of European Union law

"Despite the intervention of Commissioner Andriukaitis, the Romanian Minister of Agriculture Petre Daea has listened deafly to the fact that this shipment is likely to violate Article 3 of EU Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, which does not transport animals in a way that can cause injury or unnecessary suffering, "says Reineke Hameleers, director of Eurogroup for Animals.

"According to EU transport legislation, if animal welfare cannot be guaranteed to the final destination, transport cannot take place," Michel Vandenbosch, member and representative of GAIA in the Council of Europe, torpedoes. Eurogroup administration for animals.
We urgently need an infringement procedure. "

When they arrive alive at their destination, the animals are slaughtered without stunning
"Sacrifice feast" that takes place in August.