A new international study reveals that six in ten Muslim consumers consider careful animal transport essential for meat to be halal. The findings raise serious questions about the live export trade and the gap between consumer expectations and animal welfare standards.
The Al Kuwait cruelty scandal that sparked the founding of Stop Live Export SA has ended without prosecution, despite acknowledged animal suffering. The decision exposes serious gaps in accountability and reinforces the urgent need to end live animal exports by sea.
The International Union of Marine Insurance has responded to concerns raised by the Global Stop Live Exports Network over the risks associated with the global livestock carrier fleet. IUMI will update its ESG Watch List to reference the 2026 Global Livestock Fleet Report and has agreed to meet with the network to discuss the findings.
Stop Live Export SA has joined 37 animal welfare and protection organisations worldwide in calling on the marine insurance sector to examine the documented risks associated with the global live animal export trade.
As part of a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) consultation, Stop Live Export South Africa has called on South Africa’s representative to support stronger international animal transport standards and a transition away from the long-distance transport of live farmed animals. The submission is endorsed by South African animal protection organisations.
How old is the global live export fleet? How many vessels were purpose-built to carry animals? And why are animal welfare organisations calling for urgent international reform? This infographic, based on a major global report released this week, answers those questions at a glance.
The Spiridon II disaster was not an isolated tragedy. A major new global investigation reveals how an ageing fleet of converted cargo ships underpins the live export trade, exposing systemic risks for animals, crews and the marine environment. Read why this report demands global attention.
A major new global investigation into every livestock carrier operating worldwide reveals an ageing fleet of converted cargo ships, persistent safety failures and systemic regulatory weaknesses. Explore the key findings from the 2026 Global Livestock Fleet Report.
In an interview with Smile 904FM, Stop Live Export SA chairperson Michelle Taberer and veterinarian Dr Bevin Meyer discuss why South African vets are now calling for a ban on the live export of animals by sea — and why growing concern over animal welfare is putting pressure on the government to act.
Stop Live Export SA has addressed an open letter to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen calling for the suspension – and permanent prohibition – of live animal exports in light of the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.
A global coalition of 36 animal welfare groups, including Stop Live Exports SA, is urging the UN’s maritime body to act after a series of deadly live export ship disasters. The ageing, unsafe fleet is costing human and animal lives – and we are demanding binding international safety and welfare rules.
South Africans have spoken. Of 17,536 submissions on the government’s draft live export regulations, 95% called for a complete ban, saying the trade is ‘inherently cruel and impossible to fix’. Stop Live Export SA urges the government to act on the results and prohibit live export by sea.
SLESA sharply criticised proposed live-export laws during a parliamentary briefing on 18 November, warning that the draft regulations ignore animal-welfare risks, the Pretoria News reports.
An article published in the Cape Argus reports on a major High Court ruling that restores the NSPCA’s full powers to monitor and document animal cruelty during live-export shipments. The decision comes as SLESA presented its own challenge to Parliament, urging a ban on the trade.
Australian veterinarian Dr Lynne Simpson shared stark firsthand evidence with SA politicians: live export by sea exposes animals to heat stress, disease, injuries and mechanical dangers that cannot be prevented. Her message was clear—this trade is inherently cruel and cannot be made safe.
Stop Live Exports SA told the Parlimentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture that the government’s plan to formalise live animal export by sea will entrench cruelty, undermine the Animal Protection Act, and damage South Africa’s global reputation. In a two-hour briefing, SLESA urged MPs to intervene before new regulations are gazetted.
Stop Live Export South Africa (SLESA) has joined international animal-welfare organisations in calling for urgent intervention in the case of the livestock carrier MV Spiridon 2, currently anchored at Bandırma Port, Türkiye with 2,901 surviving cattle still trapped on board and at least 48 confirmed dead.
Daily Maverick reports on the NSPCA’s strong condemnation of the Department of Agriculture’s draft live export regulations. Describing them as ‘deeply flawed’, the organisation warns that they fail to protect animals from suffering during sea transport.
International animal welfare organisations are urging South Africa to follow global momentum and ban live animal exports by sea. Read the letter →
While most of us can only imagine the smell of a ship with 19,000 confined animals forced to live in their own waste for a fortnight, it’s nearly impossible to comprehend what it is like for the animals existing in these conditions.
