Press releases

11. December 2025

Global network calls for urgent international regulation of livestock ships after repeated maritime disasters

A global network of 36 animal welfare and protection organisations around the world has issued an urgent call to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to introduce binding international regulations for livestock carriers, warning that the ageing fleet poses serious and escalating risks to human life, animal welfare, public health and the…

24. November 2025

“Spiridon II” unloads animals in the Libyan city of Benghazi

The "Spiridon II" in Türkiye, shortly before it left to Libya.

The livestock vessel “Spiridon II”, which was stranded off the Turkish coast for more than a month after a month-long voyage from Uruguay with nearly 3,000 cattle on board, has reappeared in the Libyan city of Benghazi after three days of silence. Our team on site filmed the ship docking in the port area. According to one source on site, animal…

14. November 2025

Press Release: Pregnant heifers and newborn calves dying aboard stranded livestock ship “Spiridon II”

The "Spiridon II", flying under Togolese flag, has been stuck in front of the Turkish coast with 3.000 cattle from Uruguay on board, many of whom are pregnant.

Court documents reveal the true extent of the disaster aboard the livestock vessel coming from Uruguay: at least 58 dead cattle, 140 births and 90 “untraceable” newborn calves.

07. November 2025

Livestock Transport Vessel from Uruguay Stranded off Turkish Coast

The livestock carrier Spiridon II, carrying 2,901 cattle from Uruguay, has been stranded off the Turkish coast since 22 October. Upon arrival, the ship was denied permission to unload due to irregularities in ear tag documentation. According to a letter from the ship owner to the authorities, at least 48 animals have died so far. International…

12. March 2025

Failure of the authorities: Thousands of animals have to remain at sea for over two weeks due to engine failure

The livestock vessel “Express M” (front) is no stranger to controversy. It has repeatedly encountered significant problems. The image is from 2021, when the ship was still sailing under the name “Atlantic M.”

Another serious case of animal cruelty on the high seas and massive failure on the part of the authorities: due to a faulty ship's engine, 2,400 cattle and 460 sheep were travelling at sea for over two weeks - on a journey that normally only takes 5 to 6 days. Animal welfare organisations are appealing to EU decision-makers to stop live animal…

18. February 2025

Film exposing immense suffering inherent in EU live animal exports to be shown in European Parliament

Animals standing in their own excrement for weeks, suffering from untreated injuries, young animals dying on overcrowded trucks and animals slaughtered without stunning in a cruel manner: These are all systemic problems of the live animal trade. NGOs urge MEPs to ban inhumane trade.

20. February 2016

EU Commission and Member States tolerate systematic law-violations

EU animal exports to third countries
TSB Zürich and AWF call for an export ban on live animals

Zürich, Frankfurt 900,000 sheep, 850,000 cattle and 5,000 goats were exported from the EU to Turkey in the period from 2010 to 2015. For 2016 the EU expects a further increase of the exports. Tierschutzbund Zürich, the Animal Welfare Foundation…