ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Stop Live Export SA is a members-based voluntary association with the MISSION to end the cruel and unnecessary practice of live animal export from South Africa by sea.

Our main Objectives are to:

1. Establish a social advocacy movement to raise awareness of this cruel trade by inviting member participation and mobilising public support.
2. Advocate for policy change by lobbying key stakeholders and government to uphold the the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962 and ban the trade.

Our Strategy is to create and promote humane and sustainable alternatives by working with local and international communities, stakeholders, animal welfare organisations, and policymakers to secure a win-win outcome in the interests of improving animal and human welfare .

WHY IT MATTERS

ETHICS AND ANIMALS

Animals are sentient beings, deserving of respect, care, and compassion. Sentience means the ability to have feelings and experience emotions and sensations.  

We support the “5 Freedoms for Animals” endorsed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH): that all animals should experience:

1. Freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst
2. Freedom from fear and distress
3. Freedom from heat stress or physical discomfort
4. Freedom from pain, injury and disease
5. Freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VERSUS ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS

While it may be financially profitable, although unproven,  the economic development cannot be justified at the expense of the law and animal welfare (as set out in the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962). It is essential to prioritise justice, integrity, and ethical considerations above economic gains. 

The era of the transatlantic human slave trade points to a time in our global history where a profound moral compromise was made solely for economic gain.

This outlawed trade, was immensely lucrative, providing financial resources that fuelled various industries and contributed to the economic growth of many nations. But this came at an egregious human cost, perpetuating the brutal exploitation and dehumanisation of millions of individuals.

Similarly, live animal export by sea is a social injustice that subjects millions of animals to unnecessary suffering.

ANIMAL WELFARE IMPACTS HUMAN WELFARE

What Are The Risks To Human Health?

Live export creates greater potential for the occurrence of illnesses and diseases to spread between animals and into the regions where they are being transported and confined on their way to port.  Zoonoses are diseases transmissible between animals (domestic and wildlife) and humans. Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. Zoonoses have considerable impacts on human health, livelihoods, and ecosystems.