Agri Eastern Cape has expressed its deep disappointment with the decision of Afriforum to side with the NSPCA in its application for an urgent Interdict to prevent the live export of sheep from the Eastern Cape.
An urgent application brought by the National Council of SPCA's is expected to be heard in the Grahamstown High Court on Friday.
The NSPCA also laid criminal charges against the Department of Agriculture- and the case is still under investigation.
This follows last year's shipment of nearly 60 000 sheep from the East London harbour to the middle east.
Council spokesperson, Grace De Lange says they hope their court action will lead to a complete ban of animal exports by sea
Afriforum agreed to assist the NSPCA with this High Court case with Advocate Gerrie Nel leading the team.
Afriforum's CEO Kallie Kriel emphasised that the action is not intended to stop the trade in animals, but rather the way it is done, bringing about cruelty to the animals involved.
The President of Agri EC Doug Stern says during the previous shipment to the middle east, all local and internationally accepted protocols and procedures were observed.
Stern expressed their concern that an organisation such as Afriforum, who often state they represent the interests of farmers, are involving themselves with this litigation.
The Eastern Cape's black emerging livestock farmers are set to demonstrate outside the Grahamstown High Court in Makhanda on Friday.
Stern says Afriforum's onslaught on farmers is appalling and requires urgent intervention.
picture: Stock Image/Pixabay
