Almost 50,000 signatures have been submitted to the EU Commission calling for an immediate halt to the transport of live animals to war zones in the Middle East. Despite ongoing conflicts and bombings in the region, EU Member States continue to export animals, exposing them to incalculable risks. The European Commission has refused to suspend exports to conflict zones, shifting responsibility to Member States and claiming that current EU law does not allow for such action.

Animal welfare organizations are advocating for the protection of animals by urging the Commission to prioritize their safety and support a ban on live animal exports to war zones. The organizations highlight the dangers of transporting animals in active war zones, pointing to recent incidents such as a livestock carrier sinking off the coast of Oman. They are calling for a shift towards a trade in meat and carcasses as a more viable alternative to live animal transport.