LETTERS NEEDED TO END EXPORT OF LIVE ANIMALS FROM AUSTRALIA

October 2, 2003

LETTERS NEEDED TO END EXPORT OF LIVE ANIMALS FROM AUSTRALIAEach year, around six million sheep are exported from Australia to the Middle East--and an estimated 78,000 die on their way to slaughter. That number includes the more than 6,000 sheep who recently perished while stranded at sea aboard the MV Cormo Express for nearly eight weeks.

The ship had been refused at its Saudi Arabian destination because six percent of the animals were infected with scabby mouth disease. But until the Saudi importer could find a solution, the more than 50,000 animals were left to suffer on the ship--and many to die--in hot and humid conditions. Earlier this week, however, a decision was made--and the remaining sheep will depart for Iraq, where they will be slaughtered for the festival of Ramadan.

The treatment of the sheep has caused great upset among humanitarians worldwide, who are calling for an end to live animal exports from Australia. "Compassionate people are appalled at this latest incident," says Peter Davies, director general of the UK-based World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which has spearheaded a public awareness campaign. "It is high time that Australia prohibited its live animal export trade."

ASPCA News Alert readers, please join WSPA's letter-writing campaign and help end this cruel trade. For additional background on the issue and addresses to which you can send your letters, please visit WSPA online.

http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=BmGE89TDdnAXSXLRAGHJvQ..