Spain halts live export trade while Suez Canal blocked

The Guardian reports that the Spanish administration has issued orders that no livestock carriers destined for Saudi Arabia or Jordan should be loaded until the Suez Canal blockage is cleared. Apparently around 20 ships with animals loaded from Spain and Romania are now caught up in the mess, but Romanian authorities are yet to comment on any action being taken.

Concerns have been raised that food and water supplies could run out on ships depending on their location and how much water and food they have on board. Many of these ships do not have reverse osmosis (RO) for water production and RO cant be used in or near the Canal. Ships in the Canal itself could be particularly vulnerable if delays continue as replenishing with water and food would not be possible in the Canal. There is also concern that the animals will not be allowed ashore anywhere but their planned destination due to commercial and legal concerns not to mention physical logistics.

The situation is just another welfare risk to add to the long list that animals are exposed to by the live export trade. In the last few months there have been cases of capsize, rough seas, delayed voyages, machinery breakdown...