I WAS shocked to discover that my hard earned taxes are being used to subsidise the export each year of around 200,000 live cattle, from the European Union to the Middle East.
The animals suffer stressful sea journeys lasting over ten days, only to be slaughtered in horrendous conditions, with their throats cut while still fully conscious.
On average 175 euros (around £120) is paid for each animal exported - not to the farmer who has reared them, but to the dealer who exports them.
The dealers profit from this trade because the EU subsidises it - using 60 million euros a year (over £41 million) from our taxes.
The farm animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming supported the World Farm Animals Day last week.
Its central theme this year is the 'Stop The Bull Ship Campaign', which focuses on these subsidised live exports.
Readers can visit www.ciwf.org for more information or telephone 01730 264 208.
It is an utter scandal that British and other EU taxpayers are unwittingly subsidising such an abhorrent trade.
Instead we should be supporting small farmers, promoting the welfare of animals and working towards a trade in meat - not live animals.
CIWF member
Bromsgrove
(name and address supplied)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article