by Madison Longenecker

Industrial animal agriculture is a sprawling industry that creates a range of issues pertaining to animal welfare, public health and the environment. Usually, these issues are exacerbated on factory farms across the world in the form of animal abuse, pollution and the spread of disease.

But there is another aspect of this mega-business that often doesn’t get the same attention, at least in the United States, even though it inflicts cruelty and damage just like factory farms do. Live animal exports.

What is live animal export?

Live animal exports, commonly known as live exports, involve the commercial transfer of live animals, typically farmed animals such as cows, sheep, or chickens, across international borders. This often entails animals boarding large ships for lengthy journeys across oceans and seas.

These animals are primarily transported to meet the global demand for meat, where they are ultimately slaughtered, but can be transported for other purposes like breeding. According to The Guardian, approximately 5 million animals are exported live each day to fulfill this demand.

Why should live export be banned?

Animals endure horrible conditions when being transported across the sea. The treks usually take days on end and animals often are not fed. Heat in the summer and rough waters in the winter can create an uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening environment. The animals barely have any room to move around, with some regulations requiring a minimum above-head clearance of only 2 inches.