Anne Casparsson, Independent Journalist and Global Writer
 
Independent journalism in a time of polarization and misinformation

We live in a time when many have lost faith in journalism. Polarization, misinformation and strong negative forces are inflicting our beliefs and values.

Media could in these times be an important voice for accurate information as well as an important part in building peace and more equality forward, clearly showing real injustice and how our current system many times is destroying our planet. But instead, the media very often are part of the problem, and too often the real root causes that is a key for healing and real change, are not highlighted.

On this platform I will focus on animal rights and human rights and how these both aspects are closely interlinked with our planet and long term planetary health.

As a journalist, ethicist and writer for many years, I have been highlighting such topics. For a number of both Swedish and international organizations and media platforms. Some of the articles you can read here.

This platform will cover my writing as an independent journalist.

You are most welcome to read and share.

Together we are changing the world!

 
Anne Casparsson

If you like to support my work, please consider becoming a Patreon or sponsor it occasionally. That enables me to write more independent journalism, covering subjects and important topics for the power of good.

”In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground.
A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”
Wangari Maathai

Together we make it happen!

Cows Trapped on sea for more than two months – the cruel live export the industry doesn’t want us to see

On September 19 the MV Spiridon II left Uruguay for Turkey. Onboard were 2,901 cows, forced onboard for one of the longest routes for live export, 12,000 km. After 33 days at sea, they finally reached Turkey. But because of inconsistencies in identification records they were denied entry. The cows, already suffering immensely, were stranded for over two weeks at Bandirma Turkish port without sufficient food or water. 

These cruel exports are not uncommon, quite the opposite. It is part of an ongoing and increasing trade, well hidden from the public eye. Some ships can transport as many as 20,000 cows and other farmed animals, and usually many die during the transport. After almost two months trapped at sea at MV Spiridon II, the animals were offloaded in Libya, a country with no animal-welfare protections for transported animals. But even though both New Zealand and the UK have banned live export, the Uruguayan government plans to increase the lucrative business.

“Around 800 of the cows were pregnant when leaving Uruguay. 140 cows gave birth during the time at sea, and fifty-eight cows and ninety calves have been reported dead”, Azul Cardozo says. She is a regional coordinator for the Animal Save Movement. Today she is working in collaboration with different stakeholders with the aim to change the cruel live trade.

With a background in law, Azul Cardozo works on projects to highlight the cruel business through legal analysis, advocacy, and grassroots activism.

”This work addresses the ethical and environmental implications of live animal exports,” she says.

The live export of cows from Latin America is a huge industry and often closely linked to the deforestation and destruction of the Amazon. Countries like Argentina and Brazil are big exporters of cows to mainly the Middle East. And more Latin American countries follow.

Azul emphasizes the importance of working in partnership and collaboration with other organizations, in order to create change and highlight the trade broader, both nationally and internationally. Animal Save Movement are joined by organisations such as the Animal Welfare Foundation, Green Islam Organization, Trato Ético Animal, Mercy for Animals Brazil, DXE Montevideo, Animal Save Movement Turkey, and Proyecto Alas, among others.

”The Uruguayan government failed to intervene when the cows were stranded in Turkey, dismissing the situation as a matter between private companies, despite its clear responsibility,” Azul says.

 
The live export of animals is one of the cruelest forms of oppression. Even when the ship left Uruguay the conditions were very poor. Sea voyages always cause severe stress to animals, including exhaustion, dehydration, heat, injuries, and compromised immune systems. Supplies of feed, bedding, and fresh water are often critically low or fully depleted. And often water resources are frequently unreliable, further endangering the animals and exposing them to starvation and dehydration.

“According to the Animal Welfare Foundation, dead animals were reportedly kept in plastic bags onboard, posing further environmental and public health threat,” Azul says, adding that the animals were forced to live alongside dead bodies for weeks.

The climate implications are another aspect of this trade that has a very negative impact.

“Live export has many very negative aspects such as emissions of greenhouse gas, methane and ammonia. And it involves the discharge of large volumes of urine and manure directly into the ocean,” Azul says.
 
She emphasizes how different levels of work are needed in order to be able to ban live export globally both on policy level, political level and a consumer level.

“In this work I believe it is very important that animal rights organizations and environmental organizations are working together pushing for change. That’s one of the main things now; to be united with a strong message together.”

Everyone can contribute to this work.  Animal Save Movement has a petition that everyone can sign, https://www.drove.com/campaign/6915b7e4b9c800b0a00bf1d1.

“One very impactful way people can support this effort is by organizing actions outside Uruguayan embassies. This can be done anywhere in the world,” Azul says. “We also encourage the international community to support the case by sending letters to Uruguayan embassies. These actions are ongoing and remain an important way to apply pressure and drive change toward ending live animal exports”

Anne Casparsson