March 23, 2021

Spain's agriculture ministry orders slaughter of 1,610 cattle on cattle ship

Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has ordered the slaughter of 1,610 cattle stuck aboard the Elbeik livestock ship since December, following the slaughter order of another cattle ship the Karim Allah stuck at sea several weeks ago, Reuters reported.

The ministry said the cattle were unfit for travel and could not be re-imported into the European Union. This means the cattle must be isolated and slaughtered over the next few days.

Authorities in Turkey rejected the Elbiek and the Karim Allah carrying 850 cattle from Spain over concerns the livestock were infected with the bovine bluetongue virus.

The Karim Allah returned to Cartagena port in the east coast of Spain in February, with the Elbeik arriving last week. Both ships were unable to find a new buyer after months at the Mediterranean Sea.

- Reuters