- Farming, Red Meat Portfolio
East London, 26 July 2023 -- Al Mawashi South Africa today announced its disappointment with the NSPCA for destructive conduct and propagating lies in the public domain once again about live exports this week. The company has also welcomed a court ruling last week, where the NSPCA’s effort to interdict the shipment failed.
“The court could not find grounds for urgency on alleged animal cruelty as claimed by the NSPCA, including allegations of animal welfare transgressions,” said Jenay Petrus, Al Mawashi SA spokesperson.
“This resulted in the NSPCA resorting to disruptive conduct during this shipment.” Petrus said the shipment is lawful and being carried out with the new guidelines for transportation of animals by sea.
“There is a recurring pattern in the law-fare and disruptive conduct by the NSPCA against us, which constitutes an abuse of the courts. The NSPCA in their media statement has also made a statement which constitutes contempt of court towards the judiciary, and in particular the acting judge following her ruling”.
Over several days, the NSPCA have defeated the ends of justice by preventing state vets to perform their responsibilities during the drafting or selection process of animals. This created delays. Concerningly, there was major indecisiveness between inspectors at the feedlot where 40 horned rams were passed by NSPCA inspectors at the feedlot but then rejected by inspectors at the harbour.
The arrest of Al Mawashi SA feedlot manager was purely malicious. He was released immediately by police after the NSPCA alleged he defeated and obstructed the ends of justice despite no evidence.
In relation to the latest claims about dehorning animals, livestock vets can confirm it is standard practice on any farm that horns are clipped, and that bleeding can occur.
Petrus said the NSPCA was implacably opposed to live animal export. As a result, it is impossible for the NSPCA and their inspectors to act with a neutral position during live export operations. Similarly, it is also reflected in NSPCA’s misinformation to the public and media. “The NSPCA’s tirade of lies about alleged animal cruelty on the feedlot and during shipments, including the latest claims, have been ongoing since 2019,” Petrus said.
Petrus said: “It is our opinion that the latest allegations and disruptions by NSPCA are last ditch efforts of an embattled organisation that has lost its direction and credibility, and which relies on con artistry to lure South Africans to make public donations by staging theatrics during live export operations.
“There is also a serious lack of expertise by some of the NSPCA inspectors who do not hold the requisite veterinary qualifications and expertise of feedlot operations. The state vet accosted the NSPCA for incorrectly measuring sheep’s fleece length.
“Similarly, the NSPCA with its latest allegations attempts to exploit the general public’s lack of knowledge of feedlot operations. It sought to position a single incident of an aborted ewe pregnancy on terrestrial feedlot where 50 000 sheep are kept as an abnormal event.
“Livestock farmers and farming associations will attest to the fact that terrestrial feedlots have sick pens where frail animals receive treatment. There is really nothing strange about caring for frail animals and through the drafting or selection process, we never load animals that are not fit and healthy for shipment.”
It was premature and unruly of the NSPCA to have turned to the courts and forcing the SAPS to arrest an employee, she said.
Mr. Ilyaas Ally, Al Mawashi SA MD said:
“It was Al Mawashi SA that took business decision to place restrictions on live exports from South Africa to the Middle East until the finalisation of guidelines for transportation of animals by sea. This decision was necessary to ensure that exporters, organised agriculture, animal welfare groups, the red meat industry, exporters and the public are aligned to the standards of sustainable industry.
“Following public consultation processes, the guidelines were published in March this year.
It makes no sense for us not to follow the guidelines for transportation of animals by sea and jeopardise the industry’s reputation, the prosperity of the industry creates prosperity and socio-economic upliftment.”
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For further inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Jenay Petrus | Al Mawashi SA Spokesperson
Contact : 081 746 7986
