30 JULY 2025
Cape Town, South Africa – Stop Live Export South Africa (SLESA) and Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) are calling on the South African public to urgently respond to the newly proposed live animal export regulations announced by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) on 11 July 2025.
These draft regulations pave the way for the continuation of the live export of animals by sea — a practice SLESA condemns as unjust, inhumane and economically misleading.
Fact sheet
What is Stop Live Export South Africa?
Stop Live Export South Africa (SLESA) is a voluntary association of dedicated South Africans standing against the unjust and cruel practice of live animal export by sea. We aim to lobby for change via government, legislative, trade and media channels to eliminate the unlawful suffering and cruelty inflicted on animals via the live export system.
What are the objectives of SLESA?
The overarching objective of SLESA is to facilitate the creation of a strong social movement that advocates locally and globally so as to create awareness amongst the public of the horrors of live animal export, and to lobby and affect policy and legislative remedies to eliminate the suffering of farmed animals in long distance live transport.
SLESA is focused on the interaction with local and international governments, industry, corporations, communities and other bodies and stakeholders to protect farmed animals in long-distance sea transport through collaborative, informed and targeted efforts.
What does SLESA want to achieve?
- Call on the National Department of Agriculture (DoA) to fulfil their mandate in protecting animal welfare and ban the live export of our animals.
- Call on the DoA to develop the South African agricultural economy in a sustainable manner, without allowing systemic cruelty to farmed animals.
- Call on the SA public to sign our petition to ban live animal exports by sea.
- Call on the SA public to make a donation to support our mission.
- Call on the SA public to support SLE by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Call on the SA public to send an email to the DoA to pass regulations to prohibit the live export of all animals by sea. A letter template with email addresses can be found here.
Speak up against live export
We’re here to help you submit your comments on the draft regulations. Download the documents below to get started:
To submit your comments on the draft regulations, email VPH@dalrrd.gov.za and copy RegulationsComments@stopliveexport.co.za. Please retain a copy of your submission for reference.
For those who do not wish to submit detailed comments but simply wish to demand a ban, sign the campaign to stop live exports at Dear South Africa platform.
Note: The deadline for submissions is 12pm on 25 August 2025.
Join the movement
- Sign the Petition to ban live export by sea
- Facebook: Stop Live Export SA
- Instagram: @stoplxsa
- Website: stopliveexport.co.za
- Subscribe to the Stop Live Export SA newsletter
