Finnish cattle exports raise welfare concerns over long journeys to Middle East

Finnish cattle farmers are increasingly selling young cattle to foreign brokers, seeking better prices than those offered by domestic buyers. Last year, Finland exported nearly 400 head of cattle, a significant increase, with over half going to Poland and nearly a quarter to Estonia.

These exported animals often pass through intermediary farms before being sold onward, potentially outside the EU to destinations like Croatia, Turkey, or even further to the Middle East and North Africa. In Middle Eastern countries, halal slaughter is permitted, sometimes without prior stunning of the animals, raising ethical concerns.

While EU regulations limit continuous transport times for cattle to 14 hours, followed by rest and refreshment, there is no upper limit on the total journey distance from farm to slaughterhouse. These journeys can span thousands of kilometers, with animals confined to trucks for extended periods, which Finnish law prohibits due to the unnecessary suffering it causes.

The article highlights that a farmer's legal responsibility ends once the cattle are loaded onto the truck, but a moral responsibility extends throughout the food chain. It suggests that instead of exporting live animals, Finland should raise its calves to slaughter weight domestically. Farmers are motivated by higher prices, but the industry faces a dilemma between paying market rates for domestic meat or sourcing cheaper foreign alternatives.