The campaign to end South Africa’s live animal export trade has gained significant momentum, following public support from the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA).
In an interview on 4 May on Smile 904FM, Stop Live Export SA founder and chairperson Michelle Taberer and veterinarian Dr Bevin Meyer discussed why SAVA’s position marks an important turning point in the debate around the export of live animals by sea for slaughter abroad.
Listen to the interview: Michelle Taberer and Dr Bevin Meyer discuss why South African vets are now calling for a ban on live animal exports by sea.
Animal welfare organisations have argued for years that the trade causes unavoidable suffering. Now, South Africa’s leading veterinary body has joined calls for a ban.
SAVA’s statement expresses ‘great concern’ about the severe and unavoidable harms experienced by animals — mainly sheep — transported long distances by sea, particularly to the Middle East.
Read SAVA’s statement: SA Vets join Stop Live Export in call to ban live animal export [PDF]
During the interview, Dr Meyer explained that welfare concerns go far beyond mortality figures.
Animals can suffer for days or weeks before death occurs. Extreme overcrowding, heat stress, exhaustion, ammonia build-up from accumulated waste, disorientation caused by ocean movement, and difficulty accessing food and water are all inherent parts of these voyages.
Michelle Taberer pointed out that although South Africa has animal welfare regulations, those protections effectively fall away once ships leave South African waters.
South Africa cannot enforce its welfare standards in international waters. That means there is ultimately no way to guarantee humane treatment throughout the voyage.
Michelle Taberer, SLE chairperson
The discussion also highlighted the broader question increasingly being asked by the public: if meat can be exported safely and efficiently in refrigerated form, why continue exporting live animals at all?
Stop Live Export SA argues that local slaughter and refrigerated export would not only reduce suffering, but could also support local economic activity and job creation.
The timing of SAVA’s announcement is particularly significant. The Department of Agriculture received more than 17,000 public comments on draft live export regulations released in 2025, with the overwhelming majority reportedly calling for a ban rather than tighter regulation.
According to both Taberer and Meyer, the issue is no longer whether live export can be made more comfortable or better regulated. The central concern is whether a practice that inherently causes suffering over extended sea journeys can ever truly meet acceptable welfare standards.
World Veterinary Day, observed annually in April, recognises the role veterinarians play in animal welfare, public health and sustainable food systems. This year’s focus on animal welfare and responsible food systems gave additional weight to SAVA’s decision to publicly oppose the trade.
As public scrutiny intensifies, pressure continues to mount on the government to reconsider the future of South Africa’s live animal export industry.
Read more
- Listen: SmileFM interview: Michelle Taberer and Dr Bevin Meyer [MP3]
- Media release: SA Vets join Stop Live Export in call to ban live animal export [PDF]
Join the movement to stay informed
- 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
