Published in the Daily Maverick, 25 September 2025
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has issued a stinging rebuke of the Department of Agriculture’s proposed regulations on the export of live animals by sea, describing them as ‘deeply flawed’ and ‘inadequate to safeguard animal welfare’.
An article in Daily Maverick, published on 25 September 2025, highlights the NSPCA’s concerns that the regulations lack enforceable penalties, rely on vague voluntary standards, and prioritise industry interests over animal protection. The organisation reportedly has warned that, if adopted, the regulations will do little to prevent the suffering that thousands of animals endure on long voyages from South African ports.
The NSPCA argues that live export by sea is inherently cruel and cannot be justified on either ethical or economic grounds. Instead, it calls for a decisive shift towards banning the practice altogether – a position strongly supported by Stop Live Export South Africa and other welfare groups.
READ DON PINNOCK’s FULL ARTICLE ON DAILY MAVERICK
- The Department of Agriculture’s proposed regulations for live animal exports by sea face criticism for lacking enforceable standards and penalties, raising concerns over animal welfare.
- The NSPCA highlights critical gaps, including no embargo on exports during extreme heat and weakened provisions on animal care, calling the draft a step backward.
- While the draft outlines stringent requirements for transport conditions, critics argue that without enforcement mechanisms, these regulations are merely ‘paper promises’.
- The live export industry, defended by exporters as vital for economic growth, faces backlash from animal welfare advocates who cite past incidents of severe animal suffering during transport.
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- Sign the Petition to ban live export by sea
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- Website: stopliveexport.co.za
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