Animal Welfare Groups Urge South Africa to Ban Live Animal Exports, Mostly Destined for the Middle East
South Africa is facing growing pressure from animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, and international NGOs to ban the export of live animals by sea. Most of South Africa’s shipments are destined for the Middle East and Mauritius. These groups argue that the trade is cruel by its very nature and that no amount of regulation can erase the suffering endured by animals during long voyages. The urgency of reform was underscored in 2024 when the vessel Al Kuwait left Cape Town with 19,000 cattle.
Exposing the Trade: What Middle Eastern Consumers Should Know About Live Animal Exports
As global awareness of animal welfare grows, a troubling issue has resurfaced—one that directly implicates trade routes to the Middle East. The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) in South Africa has issued a strong condemnation of proposed government regulations that would allow live animal exports by sea, including shipments to the Middle East during the hottest months of the year.