Video: Animal protesters picket town dock
PROTESTERS made their feelings known at Ipswich dock's west bank terminal today as rumours spread of the impending arrival of live exports to the town.
Tom Potter
PROTESTERS made their feelings known at Ipswich dock's west bank terminal today as rumours spread of the impending arrival of live exports to the town.
Demonstrators braved the early morning cold to raise banners and placards objecting to the potential arrival of animals for slaughter - one read “Ipswich Port: Gateway to Hell.”
Lorries were due to dock in Dover at 9.30am this morning but were redirected after the port's closure.
As protesters lined the entrance to the port in Wherstead Road, cargo ships were reported to be somewhere in the North Sea approaching the Suffolk coast. Protesters were being kept constantly up-to-date on movements by counterparts, Kent Against Live Exports (KALE).
Judy Massie, of Colchester, arrived at the west bank terminal gates at 6am. She said: “The animals coming into port are cull sheep and unwanted male calves that have become surplus to requirements. Many are shot at birth but the few that survive are gathered up and sold at market to consortium and loaded up in veal crates.”
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Ms Massie said: “We want to stop the unnecessary trade of live exports. It's one of those emotive things that a lot of people want to end.
“We know they have to go somewhere and we don't want them coming here. We've had quite a good response with people tooting their horns and putting their thumbs up.”
No one from ABP, which operates Ipswich port, was available to comment on the possible resumption of live animal exports.
