The case of the Gulf Livestock 2 vessel and its non‑compliance with live animal transport legislation
20.4.2021
Question for written answer E-002137/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marisa Matias (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left)
On 30 March 2021, Israeli activists recorded disturbing images of the unloading in Haifa, Israel of live animals of Portuguese origin transported from the port of Sines by the Gulf Livestock 2 vessel. The shocking images of the unloading show severely injured calves, piled up, covered in blood and in a clear state of distress. On board the ship there were more than 15 000 animals.
The vessel returned to the port of Sines on 12 April 2021, allegedly to once again embark thousands of animals. In 2017, the ship, previously called Aldelta, had been banned from Portuguese waters for the transport of live animals. In March 2021, the Portuguese authorities lifted the suspension as they understood that the problems previously detected on the Aldelta had been resolved.
The recent unloading in Israel demonstrates that the vessel was not able to operate without endangering the welfare of animals and thus is not complying with EU legislation.
- 1.Will the Commission therefore instruct the competent authorities in Portugal to withdraw the certificate of approval for the Gulf Livestock 2 and if not, why not?
- 2.What actions is the Commission planning to take to ensure that the Portuguese authorities duly enforce and comply with Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005?