Welfare activists petition High Court against continuation of live animal shipments

Animal welfare activists, led by Freedom for Animals, have petitioned the High Court to halt the maritime transport of live animals to Israel, citing severe cruelty. The nearly 500-page petition, submitted on Thursday, includes testimonies from industry insiders and demands a gradual cessation of these shipments over three years, with immediate interim regulations to ensure animal welfare standards and an immediate halt to journeys exceeding 10 days. The activists argue that current regulations, introduced after a 2017 High Court ruling, have failed to mitigate suffering, stating, "Today, there is no longer any dispute that the live shipments constitute severe animal abuse." The petition highlights issues such as extreme stress, disease, heat, lack of food and water, and overcrowding. Historically, Israel shifted from local and chilled meat imports to live animal imports due to tariff changes. The petition also notes that several countries, including New Zealand and Australia, have banned or are phasing out live animal exports.