Rescued Sheep in Romania

New report on live animal transports in Romania reveals massive grievances

FOUR PAWS urges EU Commission for stricter enforcement and controls

28.4.2020

28 April 2020 – A new report on live animal transports in Romania published by the EU Commission, identifies severe shortcomings with regard to animal welfare. Animals were not examined accordingly, control reports are missing and not enough qualified staff was provided – this points to a severe neglect of the EU transport regulations on Romania’s behalf. Only recently, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS rescued 180 sheep in Romania after their transport vessel capsized and the majority of the sheep died – a tragedy that could have been prevented. Immediate enforcement as well as strict controls and regulations are long overdue for live animal transports within and from the EU. FOUR PAWS urges the EU Commission to start infringement proceedings against Romania and once again demands a ban of live animal transports.

The audit report found that the country’s central competent authority failed to provide instructions to support official veterinarians in checking the implementation of requirements during inspections. Furthermore, there is a general lack of records in the system of controls, including evidence of checks on whether animals that arrive are in a suitable state to continue the journey. 

“The report clearly indicates Romania’s neglect of EU transport regulations. Animals must not be transported in a way likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering. It’s obvious that the animals are not sufficiently protected. The EU Commission must now hold Romania responsible by starting an infringement process and work towards an end to live animal transports to prevent future accidents and unnecessary suffering.” 

Dr Martina Stephany, Director of the Farm Animals Department at FOUR PAWS. 

Thousands of sheep die after transport vessel capsizes

In November 2019, a vessel loaded with 14,000 sheep capsized on its way from Romania to Saudi Arabia, leaving the sheep to die. FOUR PAWS and its Romanian partner organisation ARCA were able to rescue 254 animals, out of which 180 survived. Read more about this mission here.

In early 2020, FOUR PAWS received custody of the sheep and accommodated them north of Bucharest, in a former horse farm that was adjusted to meet their needs. “The sheep received all necessary treatments, and our team on-site makes sure they get all the care they need. They are recovering well from the ordeal they had to live through. These sheep are the lucky ones, and a constant reminder of the millions of farmed animals that keep suffering as long as live transports exist,” says Stephany. FOUR PAWS continues to work on a long-term solution for the sheep with the Romanian authorities.

 

EU transport regulations must consider animal welfare

The insufficient outcome of the report in Romania comes as no surprise to FOUR PAWS, especially considering the recent ship tragedy. It underscores that EU authorities must prevent the massive animal welfare problems that occur during live animal transports. Every year more than three million live animals are transported from the EU to third countries. FOUR PAWS calls on Romania to adhere to its official announcement stating that the country will work towards a transport of meat instead of animals. All other European member states and the European Institutions should enable this transition as well. FOUR PAWS considers the transport of meat instead of live animals the only alternative to subjecting animals to exhausting journeys and unnecessary suffering. In parallel, EU authorities need to invest in sustainable solutions that reduce the suffering of animals during live transports, such as a limiting the transport duration of live animals to a maximum of eight hours, more unannounced checks and tougher sanctions for infringements.

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Katharina Braun

Katharina Braun

(she/her)
Team Lead Public Relations

katharina.braun@four-paws.org

+43 (0) 664 885 33 270

VIER PFOTEN International 
Linke Wienzeile 236
1150 Vienna, Austria

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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org

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