Animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is calling for an end to live animal exports.
South Africa is at a critical juncture regarding the controversial practice of live animal exports by sea. With the country sending thousands of cattle, sheep, and goats yearly, primarily to the Middle East and Mauritius, a key debate has emerged: should the government merely regulate the trade, or should it take decisive action to ban live exports completely?
Currently, live exports by sea remain legal. Rather than imposing a ban, the government is moving to formalise and regulate the trade. In July 2025, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) published draft regulations under the Animals Protection Act for public comment, aiming to set minimum welfare standards for the voyages.
Why Animal Welfare Groups Argue Regulation Is Not Enough
Animal welfare organisations argue that the proposed regulations fail to address the fundamental cruelty inherent in the practice. Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa, said: “No amount of regulation can make this inherently cruel practice humane. Animals are sentient beings, not cargo. They experience fear, stress and suffering on these long journeys and that cannot be regulated away.” The industry faces increasing criticism from civil society, veterinarians, and welfare organisations, who point to the following as unavoidable risks of long sea journeys:
