Joint complaint to Irish Minister for Agriculture: Serious violations of EU animal welfare law in live animal exports to Algeria
Together with several European animal welfare organizations, we have lodged a complaint with the Irish Minister for Agriculture. The reason for this is further documented violations of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and of the relevant ruling of the European Court of Justice on the export of breeding animals (Case C-424/13).
As early as January 2024, video footage showed that pregnant heifers from Ireland were loaded onto completely unsuitable transport vehicles after their arrival in Algeria. The trucks were open, poorly secured, and had neither a roof nor ventilation or supply systems. These are clear violations of the legally prescribed transport standards. A complaint to the minister at the time remained unanswered.
New footage from November 2025 confirms the violations
Current video footage from November 15, 2025 shows that the situation is repeating itself: Once again, pregnant heifers from Waterford were exported to Algeria. The animals were transferred there to unsuitable vehicles. The open metal structures of the transporters can cause the cattle to get their limbs stuck in them and suffer serious injuries. These vehicles also offer no protection from the weather.
A particularly alarming incident was documented in January 2025: during this transport, two heifers gave birth to their calves during the journey. This is despite the fact that, according to EU law, animals in the last third of pregnancy may not be transported. This seriously calls into question the reliability of veterinary inspections and the correct application of EU regulations on the transportability of animals.
European Court of Justice ruling: Regulations apply until the final destination
The ruling of the European Court of Justice in case C-424/13 clarifies that the requirements of EU Regulation 1/2005 apply until the final destination of the animals—including for transport stages outside the EU.
The trucks used in Algeria have been proven to meet neither the minimum technical requirements for safety and animal welfare nor the additional provisions for transports lasting more than eight hours.
Risk of serious animal welfare violations in the country of destination
Independent research shows that Irish breeding animals are slaughtered in Algeria using methods that would be illegal in the EU, including beating, hanging by one leg, cutting with blunt knives, and severe restraint, which cause extreme stress and pain.
In view of the documented abuses, we join forces with Ethical Farming Ireland, Compassion in World Farming, Eyes on Animals, and the umbrella organization of EU animal welfare organizations, Eurogroup for Animals, to call on the Irish Minister for Agriculture to suspend the authorization of such exports and to ensure compliance with EU Regulation 1/2005—including for the sections of transport outside the EU. We also call on him to thoroughly investigate incidents, ensure transparency regarding inspections, and promote a strategic reorientation from live animal exports to animal-free trade alternatives.
Ireland's economic interests do not stand in the way of this. On the contrary: while Ireland earns around €100 million annually from milk exports to Algeria, the export of pregnant heifers to promote a competing dairy industry is at odds with long-term economic and ethical goals.
Download our letter here.
