Officially, Germany does not export slaughter animals to third countries. And yet, every year, countless cattle from Germany end up in slaughterhouses in Central Asia, the Middle East, or North Africa—either under the pretext of breeding programs or via roundabout routes through other member states.

Together with our partner organization Animals International, our field teams have uncovered the loopholes in the animal transport industry.

Calves are transported via detours to slaughterhouses outside the EU

We estimate that 1 million calves are exported from Germany annually. For the German dairy industry, calves are purely a byproduct. It is primarily male calves that are transported via collection points in countries such as Belgium all the way to Spain. The calves remain there until they reach slaughter weight. Afterward, they are often exported by ship to North Africa and the Middle East, where they are slaughtered. This is animal suffering by a roundabout route, produced in Germany.

Exports to third countries from Germany: a clear ban is missing

It is time for Germany to abandon its double standards regarding animal exports. Transports of animals lasting days or even weeks to non-European countries must be stopped. This is the only way to prevent German animals from being slaughtered under cruel conditions far from their country of origin.

Action is needed. Help put an end to these torturous transports. 

Support our appeal to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture:

1. Ban on cattle exports to third countries:
Two legal opinions confirm that Germany would be capable of enforcing a national ban on cattle exports. In April 2022, the Conference of State Agriculture Ministers also called on the federal government, among other things, to advocate for a nationwide and EU-wide ban on the transport of “breeding” cattle to third countries.

2. Stop cruel calf transports:Germany must advocate at the EU level to close the loopholes in the animal export industry. German animals must not end up in slaughterhouses outside the EU under the guise of EU internal market transports.

We need your support—only by working together can we put an end to these cruel transports!

Invite your friends, acquaintances, and colleagues to support this call to action: