March 1, 2021

Spain to kill all cattle that spent months on ship in the Mediterranean

Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food said the more than 850 cattle that spent months on ship in the Mediterranean will be killed as they are no longer fit for transport, Reuters reported.

The cattle were kept in poor conditions on the ship "Karim Allah", docked at Cartagena port in southeast Spain after no buyers wanted to purchase the cattle over the past two months.

Several countries did not want to purchase the cattle over concerns the livestock were infected with the bovine bluetongue virus. The virus, which is insect-borne, causes lameness and haemorrhaging among cattle but does not affect humans.

Reuters said a veterinarians' report concluded that the livestock should be euthanatized for their health and welfare after suffering from the lengthy journey. The report did not add how many cattle were infected by bluetongue disease.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food said the cattle owners must isolate the slaughter the animals based on applicable regulations, or the ministry will do so in a subsidiary way.

Miquel Masramon, a lawyer representing the ship owner Talia Shipping Line, had asked for samples that were obtained from the cattle and impounded by authorities to be returned for bluetongue tests.

The vessel was originally destined for Turkey, but the latter authorities stopped the shipment and halted all live animal imports from Spain due to bluetongue infection concerns. Several more countries did not allow it to enter port for the same reason.

- Reuters