Campaigners vow to stop livestock being exported
Animal rights campaigners have vowed to mount a series of protests against attempts to export live animals through Portsmouth.
A demonstration was held at the city's Commercial Ferry Port on Saturday with more in the pipeline over the coming weeks.
It comes after lorry loads of sheep were recently taken to the port to be shipped abroad to be slaughtered.
They were turned away by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), because they didn't have the correct paperwork or give enough notice.
But protesters now fear there will be more attempts over the coming weeks.
The Southern Animal Rights Coalition (SARC) is organising the protests, while Compassion in World Farming is also speaking out against the practice.
Sarah Collins, 23, SARC campaigner, said: 'I'm really shocked that people tried to export live animals.
'I thought after the first protest we could stop this before it happened, but they've gone ahead and tried to do it.
'It's not against the law but it's barbaric.
'We hoped we could stop it, but now we will be organising more protests over the coming weeks.'
She claims the animals were due to be transported by Celtic Link Ferries. Campaigners say their protest is not against the council or the port, but against companies involved in the practice.
Eloise Shavelar, campaign manager for Compassion in World Farming, said: 'The journeys of some of these live animals can go on for up to 70 hours.
'They aren't given adequate rest stops or water and it is very inhumane.
'We are calling for a trade in meat, rather than live animals.'
Laura Zobel, spokeswoman for the port, confirmed that Defra had turned away the animals.
She added: 'The port can't prohibit live exports, all they can do is try and make it not possible.
'But if companies follow the right procedures then they can do it.'
The port has not confirmed which company was due to transport the sheep and no one from Celtic Link Ferries was available to comment.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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