‘World Horse Welfare’ wil einde aan paardentransporten naar de slacht in Europa - Paarden op weg naar slachterij staan bloot aan stress en wreedheden

‘Horse Slaughter Cruelty Must End’

18-11-2008 Sky News, UK

Animal rights campaigners are going to Europe to demand an end to what they say is the biggest abuse of horses on the continent. The charity World Horse Welfare wants new rules to protect 100,000 horses that are being transported across Europe for slaughter.
It says horses should be slaughtered before being transported to prevent injury, stress and cruelty.

The charity says it has compiled a dossier containing over seven year’s worth of research and scientific evidence on the horrific welfare issues which long-distance transportation causes.

Director Jo White told Sky News: “This dossier of evidence along with our list of recommendations is the culmination of many years’ hard work and I’m confident that by providing such a strong case to the European Commission, we will see a positive change to current laws.
“Our evidence of injury, extreme exhaustion, dehydration and stress demonstrates that existing safeguards are not sufficient in protecting horses from suffering and in addition, they are not being effectively enforced.

“We want a journey limit to be implemented and for the European Commission to put in place a more rigorous enforcement structure.”

Pictures released by the charity show horses packed into lorry trailers, unable to move, along with some of the injuries they have suffered.
The charity has support from the UK government and many MEPs. They say most of the problems are centred on Mediterranean countries and in Eastern Europe.

The UK Road Hauliers Association told Sky News it wanted to see a raising of standards across Europe but warned any changes would take time.

Former Emmerdale star Claire King has also added her support to the campaign.
She said: “It is disgusting. The European Commission has to do something. I would really encourage people to sign the petition that World Horse Welfare have set up and to really make a noise about this.”

(Bron: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/)
(Bron foto: Sky News)

(Voor meer informatie: / For further information: http://www.ilph.org/campaigns_details.asp?id=944)