New Petition to Help Save Thousands of Cattle Dying at Sea

Compassion in World Farming

From Compassion in World Farming

Thank You

We have always known that Compassion’s supporters are amazing, and your response to the Gracia Del Mar disaster shows once again that when farm animals need urgent help, you are there to defend them.

We would like to thank everyone who took action on this issue. Within the first 40 hours of us alerting you to this situation over 40,000 emails were sent to Brazil, Egypt and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in Paris. This response is truly astounding.

A final update…

We’re now able to bring you an explanation for, and the final outcome of, this tragedy. Reports we have received suggest that when the Gracia Del Mar livestock ship passed the Algerian Coast, en route from Brazil to Egypt, it passed through a snow storm and extremely cold weather. Many of the cattle could not withstand this severe weather and this led to thousands of deaths.

The ship then tried to dock in a number of places along the Red Sea and was refused for several days, both at Egyptian ports and in other nations. We understand that all live cattle have now been transferred from the Gracia Del Mar and have been taken to land, although it is not clear which country the animals finally ended up in.

Around 3,000 animals, over half of those onboard the Gracia Del Mar when it left Brazil, are thought to have died in this catastrophe. While many of the exact details of this event remain unknown, one thing is clear: the long distance transport of animals must stop.

Compassion has campaigned for many years on this issue, and this latest tragedy provides yet more evidence that long distance live transport has no place in modern farming. Our campaign goes on, and with your help, we will continue to fight to make sure these tragic disasters become a thing of the past.

Thank you, once again, for your ongoing support and compassion.

Previous, please click HERE to also send sample letter if you have not already.

Please click on and sign Emergency situation – Livestock Ship Gracia Del Mar

Source: Compassion in World Farming

Background

Dying cattle are stranded at sea; more than 2750 are already dead. We must take urgent action now to end this welfare disaster.

The Gracia Del Mar set out from Brazil, bound for Egypt with thousands of cattle on board. It is currently in the Red Sea area, near Eritrea. The ship has had an engine failure which has led to a failure in the ventilation system.

Reports suggest that more than 2,750 cattle are already dead, and the situation is worsening with every hour that passes. The ship has attempted to dock at a number of ports, including its destination port in Egypt, but has been turned away due to the number of dead and dying cattle. Reports suggest conditions on board are desperate.

The Brazilian and Egyptian authorities must take urgent action today to end this major welfare disaster. Not only is it their responsibility to do so, but they have the resources to provide the support and veterinary expertise so urgently needed.

Please send the email below to the Brazilian and Egyptian Agriculture Ministers calling on them to fulfil their responsibilities. They need to get the ship docked, get treatment to any surviving animals and bring this disaster to a close.

Text

URGENT ACTION NEEDED REGARDING LIVESTOCK SHIP ON WHICH MANY CATTLE ARE DEAD OR DYING

I understand that Compassion in World Farming has received a report that 2750 cattle have died on board the livestock vessel Gracia Del Mar which is carrying the animals from Brazil to Egypt. It is reported that this ship is currently near Eritrea. It must dock urgently at the nearest available port. As the exporting and importing countries, I believe Brazil and Egypt are best placed to end this dreadful situation swiftly.

According to the report, animals are continuing to die on board the ship.  I believe that this problem has arisen because one of the ship’s engines has broken down and this has led to ventilation failure resulting in much suffering and the death of many animals.

I urge Brazil and Egypt to take urgent action to help to bring this situation to an end.  I would be grateful if Brazil and Egypt would liaise with the relevant authorities and try to persuade them to allow the ship to land so that the animals can be given veterinary care or, where necessary, humanely euthanized. Urgent action is necessary to prevent even more suffering in what has become a major animal welfare disaster.

OIE guidelines require you to take responsibility for this situation as the exporting and importing countries.

I would be grateful if Brazil and Egypt could provide veterinary expertise (which may not be readily available in the nearest ports) and funding so that the animals can receive effective care and treatment as soon as the ship is able to dock.

The Gracia Del Mar carries a Panamanian flag. Her Call Sign is 3EXD9 IMO: 7819113, MMSI: 354760000.

a sad commentary
on our planet, dearth
that many people still
do not acknowledge
our animal’s worth

Karen Lyons Kalmenson