Day 3 Inspections of EU livestock trucks at Turkish border

Today our team went inside the border to check on animal trucks there. Ten trucks transporting calves and cattle were parked in the sun, waiting. There is no shade available for livestock trucks here. Most had already arrived yesterday evening.

 

The temperature was approximately 35 degrees.

Despite drawing the attention of the authorities about this problem last year already, inside the border the drivers still only have access to one water hose and have to share it. The animals were very thirsty, jumping at the chance to drink as soon as it was their drivers turn to make use of the hose, some even fighting to reach the water.

Together with some livestock drivers we went to complain to the Turkish parking supervisor about this. He informed us that inside the border there is not much water available so they cannot set up another hose, and anyhow the hoses are often stolen. This is not an adequate excuse and we will complain about this to the authorities in Ankara and the chef at this border- they must provide more water sources if they leave animal trucks waiting in the direct sun for hours and hours here and continue to accept live animals. Better infrastructure, such as water and shade is urgently needed.

One of the trucks, from the company Agrovest, was particularly filthy. The water troughs inside were full of manure, resulting in thirsty animals not even being able to drink from them.

 

Two trucks were overcrowded. Some drivers did all they could to care for their animals and loading conditions inside were better. Nevertheless, again a truck from the company Sazov with Austrian animals on board (like yesterday) arrived without unloading the calves during the long journey. The truck had already been on the road for close to 30 hours, and now had to wait 20 hours inside the border and still had another 8 hours ahead to get to their final destination of Ankara. We will send a complaint to the Austrian authorities regarding these consignments.

Tonight 6 trucks have to wait on the Turkish side of the border for final paperwork and payment. Only 2 unloaded at the small stable to let the animals be fed, watered and rested overnight outside of the truck. The rest of the animals will remain on board. There is anyhow not enough space at the stable to accommodate more animals…the infrastructure is very limited.

We watched the unloading at the stable and assisted the workers with distributing straw on the stable-floor for the bulls to lie comfortably on. Tomorrow we are heading to Ankara to meet with the Ministry of Agriculture.