From March 14-16, four teams from Eyes on Animal and our French sister organization L214 investigated the welfare of calves transported from Ireland to, for example, Dutch fattening farms via the French port town Cherbourg.
We examined the condition and treatment of the calves during transport, at the control post and upon arrival at the fattening facility. EonA and L214 found serious violations regarding the mistreatment of calves, the unsuitable watering system, ignoring the mandatory stop at resting places and non-compliance with required driving and resting periods.
L214 and Eyes on Animals filed charges against the Qualivia resting place in Tollevast and one of the employees for the abuse of the calves. Competent authorities in the Netherlands, France and Ireland were informed of the documented violations and requested to take immediate action.
The good news is that the violations received broad media attention and were reported internationally. This media attention makes people more aware of the suffering involved in transporting calves. See a selection of these below.
Unfortunately, L214 and Eyes on Animals are not kept informed on the progress of the complaint filed and the resulting court case.
Article in Dutch daily newspaper TROUW, click HERE.
Another article in Trouw, click HERE.
Article in Irish tabloid The Irish Sun, click HERE.
Article in French daily paper Le Parisien, click HERE.
Article in Irish newspaper Independent Artikel, click HERE .
Article in British tabloid Daily Mail, click HERE.
Article in British daily newspaper The Guardian, click HERE.
Television interview with Lesley Moffat on RTE Prime Time, click HERE.
Radio Interview on Newstak.com Moncrieff, click HERE.
