A group of female cows have been kept on a livestock ship in Ireland for several days before leaving for Algeria. Animal welfare group Ethical Farming Ireland says this may break EU animal transport rules.
The animals are believed to be pregnant dairy heifers. They were loaded onto the livestock vessel Alondra at Waterford Port.
According to information shared with Ethical Farming Ireland, cattle trucks started arriving at the port on Friday morning. The ship had been docked there since Wednesday evening.
Ship left, turned back, then anchored
The Alondra left Waterford on 10 January, but after a short time it stopped near Cheekpoint. About an hour later, the ship turned around and returned to Belview Port. The reason for this was unclear.
According to the Port of Waterford website, the ship was expected to leave again on Monday evening at 22:00. This means the animals may have been on board for over three days before leaving Ireland, Caroline Rowley from Ethical Farming Ireland said.
Possible breach of EU law
Ethical Farming Ireland says this situation may break EU Regulation 1/2005, which protects animals during transport.
The law says journeys should be as short as possible and that animals must be moved without unnecessary delay. It also says animal welfare must be checked and maintained during the journey.
Keeping animals on a ship for days before departure may go against these rules, the group says.
Pregnant heifers are especially vulnerable. They are kept in crowded pens, often over several levels, with only a thin layer of sawdust for bedding. Over time, ammonia levels and humidity can rise, which harms animal health.
Irish rules allow pregnant cattle to be exported up to eight months of pregnancy, which animal welfare groups strongly criticise.
Growing exports, limited oversight
Exports of pregnant dairy heifers from Ireland have increased in recent years. Animals have been sent to Algeria, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates. Some journeys are very long and include travel by truck, ship, or even plane.
Ethical Farming Ireland also points out that once animals leave the EU, authorities often do not know what happens next. Welfare standards in some destination countries are much lower, especially at slaughter.
Ethical Farming Ireland has sent complaints to the Irish Minister for Agriculture about these shipments. The group says exporting pregnant animals is too risky and should stop.
