French lawmakers unanimously opposed to EU-Mercosur trade deal

France's National Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the government to oppose the free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, ahead of decisive votes at the European level in December.


Issued on: 27/11/2025 - RFI

French farmers demonstrate against the Mercosur free trade agreement outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 24 November, 2025. AFP - FREDERICK FLORIN

By:RFIFollow
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The resolution rejecting the Mercosur accord was put forward by the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party.

MPs approved it by 244 votes to one. The sole MP who voted against immediately said she had pressed the wrong button and in fact supported the resolution.

The non-binding text urges the executive to form a blocking minority in the EU Council and to refer the agreement to the European Court of Justice to verify its compliance.

"This is a civilisational choice," said LFI lawmaker Matthias Tavel, condemning an agreement that she called "deadly" for agriculture and the climate.

The EU and Mercosur – comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – agreed the EU's largest ever trade accord last December, some 25 years after negotiations were launched.

The treaty would increase European exports of cars, machinery and wine to South America, in return for greater access for South American agricultural products (beef, poultry, sugar, honey) through vastly reduced tariffs.

Is France misguided to keep rejecting the EU-Mercosur trade deal?

Safeguard clauses 'insufficient'

France has been a vocal opponent of the deal, which still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and by a qualified majority among EU countries – meaning 15 of 27 members representing 65 percent of the EU population.

Brussels says it strengthened safeguard clauses for sensitive sectors in September, but opponents – notably French farmers – consider these guarantees insufficient.

Adressing MPs, Benjamin Haddad, the minister delegate for Europe, said the agreement as concluded in 2024 "is not acceptable in its current form".

But Haddad stressed that the had secured a "gain" in obtaining a strengthening of safeguard clauses from the European Commission in October. He called for them to be swiftly adopted "before any position is taken by the Council regarding the agreement itself".

"This step forward, useful and necessary as it is, is not enough today. It is not sufficient," Haddad added, underlining two further French demands: "mirror" clauses to ensure fair standards, and enhanced sanitary and phytosanitary checks.

(with newswires)

Guyana’s Record-Breaking Oil Boom

By Matthew Smith - Nov 25, 2025

• Guyana’s offshore Stabroek Block has unlocked around 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil, turning the small nation into one of South America’s top producers in under a decade.
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• Exxon and its partners rapidly brought multiple FPSOs online, pushing output to 900,000 bpd in 2025 and aiming for 1.7 million bpd by 2030.
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• Initial PSA terms were unusually favorable to Exxon, prompting Guyana to revise future contracts to secure higher royalties, taxes, and profit shares.

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The tiny South American nation of Guyana, once one of the continent’s poorest countries, recently emerged as a top oil producer. After a swathe of high-quality discoveries in the offshore Stabroek Block, the government in Georgetown finds itself managing one of the world's largest oil booms. In roughly a decade, Guyana went from its first oil discovery to South America’s third-largest oil producer with signs of further growth ahead. This delivered a massive economic dividend for the country of less than one million, which sees it now ranked among the wealthiest in South America.

Key to Guyana’s booming hydrocarbon sector is the 6.6 million offshore Stabroek Block. It is here that ExxonMobil, which is the operator holding a 45% interest along with partners Chevron and CNOOC, controlling 30% and 25% respectively, made the first oil discovery in Guyana’s territorial waters during 2015. This was followed by a swathe of major commercially viable discoveries, which were eventually estimated to collectively contain recoverable oil resources of around 11 billion barrels. The oil discovered is light and sweet with an API gravity of 31.9 degrees and 0.59% sulfur, making it desirable in a low-emission world.

Impressively in a mere four years, Guyana went from first discovery with the Liza-1 wildcat well to first oil. This is a startling development for an industry where major offshore oilfields can take a decade or more to develop and bring to production. Indeed, the consensus is it takes, on average, seven to 10 years to develop an offshore oil discovery so that commercial production can begin. This is something being witnessed in neighboring Suriname, which shares the Guyana-Suriname Basin. More complex geology delayed the development of TotalEnergies' GranMorgu project in offshore Block 58, which lies adjacent to the Stabroek Block, where, despite the discovery being made in 2020, the operation won’t be commissioned until 2028.

The development of the Stabroek Block is continuing at a stunning rate. By August 2025, Exxon had brought its fourth project, Yellowtail, online. This saw the 250,000 barrel per day ONE GUYANA Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel come online and start pumping crude oil. During November 2025, production at Yellowtail had ramped up to full capacity. This saw Exxon announce that Guyana was now pumping 900,000 barrels per day, all from the prolific Stabroek Block. This is a significant development for the former British colony because it is now South America’s third-largest oil producer behind Brazil and Venezuela.

In fact, in a decade, Guyana has gone from not being an oil-producing nation to lifting close to one million barrels per day. This saw the country overtake Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina to become South America’s third largest oil producer behind Brazil and Venezuela. Production volumes will continue to expand with considerable production growth ahead for the Stabroek Block. Exxon is currently developing four additional projects, which, with a combined production capacity of 940,000 barrels per day, will lift Guyana’s total output to 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030. That will make the former British colony South America’s second-largest oil producer.

Meanwhile, Chevron, a 30% partner in the Stabroek Block, which acquired the interest by purchasing independent oil company Hess, recently stated the prolific oil acreage contains more oil than the 11 billion barrels currently estimated. Exxon, aside from developing already sanctioned projects in the Stabroek Block, continues to conduct exploration and appraisal drilling in the prolific oil-bearing acreage. During June 2025, the supermajor started drilling the Hamlet-1 prospect in the southeast portion of the Stabroek Block. Exxon also commenced the Lukanani-2 appraisal well for evaluating the 2022 Lukanani-1 discovery situated southeast of the Liza facility.

The Exxon-led consortium obtained highly favorable terms from Georgetown for exploiting the Stabroek Block. These were encapsulated in a production sharing agreement (PSA), which is considered one of the most lopsided to ever be introduced in the global petroleum industry. Aside from an incredibly low royalty rate of two percent being applied only to what is called cost oil, 75% of all oil lifted is classified as cost oil, with all revenue generated returned to the consortium members. In fact, only 25% of the revenue of all petroleum produced is classified as profit oil and shared 50/50 with Georgetown.

It is easy to understand why Guyana’s government initially offered such an extremely favorable agreement to the Exxon led consortium. Prior to the Liza-1 discovery, over six decades of exploration drilling had failed to find any commercially viable petroleum reservoirs in offshore Guyana. This was despite considerable conjecture that the Guyana-Suriname Basin contained as much as 32.6 billion barrels of crude oil. Such a beneficial PSA made it attractive for global energy companies to drill in Guyana’s underexplored territorial waters, despite the risks posed by earlier poor results. 

As a result of the global outcry surrounding this PSA, Georgetown revised the contracts to ensure Guyana received a far greater cut of the profits generated by the country’s vast offshore petroleum reserves. The main changes were reducing cost oil to 65% of all petroleum sold and bumping up royalties to 10%, while also introducing a corporate tax of 10%. This means no other companies can secure the beneficial terms associated with the Stabroek Block, which make it extremely profitable for Exxon and its partners. Indeed, the prolific oil acreage is estimated to possess a low average breakeven price of $30 per barrel, which is among the lowest in South America.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com 

 

Eni Bets on Uruguay’s Offshore Potential with New Exploration Deal

By Charles Kennedy - Nov 25, 2025

Italy’s Eni has signed an agreement to acquire a 50% stake and operatorship of Uruguay’s offshore exploration block OFF-5 from Argentine state energy firm YPF, marking a new phase in the companies’ strategic partnership across the Southern Cone.

The deepwater block, which spans roughly 17,000 square kilometers about 200 kilometers off the Uruguayan coast, is regarded as one of the country’s most promising offshore prospects. Eni said the acquisition, pending approval from Uruguayan authorities, will “further strengthen its exploration portfolio” by adding high-impact acreage where its proprietary technologies can be applied to accelerate resource assessment.

The move deepens Eni’s growing cooperation with YPF, which began in Argentina and now extends to neighboring Uruguay. The two companies are already partners in Argentina’s $10 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) export initiative—known as Argentina LNG—where they are working to deploy two floating LNG units with a combined capacity of about 12 million tons per year. Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC joined that project earlier this year as a strategic investor.

YPF first signed the Uruguayan exploration contract in 2023, committing to geological evaluations and advanced 3D modeling to better map the area’s resource potential. Although Uruguay has yet to make a commercial offshore oil discovery, recent geological studies suggest that formations along its Atlantic margin share characteristics with Namibia’s Orange Basin, where several billion-barrel discoveries have been made

Eni joins a growing roster of global firms exploring Uruguay’s offshore sector, including Shell, APA Corporation, and Challenger Energy. All seven of the country’s offshore blocks are currently under contract, reflecting renewed international interest in the region’s deepwater potential.

With this latest deal, Eni positions itself at the center of a new frontier in South American energy exploration—one that could reshape Uruguay’s role in the Atlantic oil map while deepening the Italy–Argentina energy axis.

Uganda Discovers 600 Million-Barrel Oil Find as Pipeline Nears Finish Line

By Charles Kennedy - Nov 25, 2025

Uganda’s state-owned oil company has announced a major breakthrough that could reshape the country’s energy future. The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) confirmed it has identified nine potential oil wells in the Kasuruban block containing “significant new crude oil deposits,” estimated at about 600 million barrels of recoverable crude.

The discovery, located within the 1,285-square-kilometer Kasuruban exploration block acquired under a 2023 production sharing agreement, could boost Uganda’s proven recoverable reserves beyond the current 1.65 billion barrels. It also strengthens prospects in the Albertine Rift Basin, where French energy giant TotalEnergies and China’s CNOOC are developing the Tilenga and Kingfisher oilfields—projects expected to begin commercial output in the second half of next year.

The announcement comes as Uganda edges closer to becoming a regional oil exporter. The $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will transport crude from Uganda’s Albertine Graben to Tanzania’s Tanga port, is now 75% complete. The 1,443-kilometer pipeline will enable Uganda to export its oil for the first time, with production from Tilenga and Kingfisher expected to peak at around 200,000 barrels per day.

However, EACOP has drawn environmental scrutiny for its potential impact on ecosystems and communities along the route. Supporters argue that the project could be transformative for East Africa, creating jobs, boosting infrastructure investment, and strengthening regional energy security.

With new discoveries adding momentum, Uganda is positioning itself as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s emerging oil players—balancing the promise of energy-driven growth with the challenge of ensuring sustainability and global investor confidence.

Shell Finalizes Increased Stake in Nigeria’s Deepwater Bonga Field

By Charles Kennedy - Nov 25, 2025

Shell plc (SHEL) has completed the acquisition of an additional 10% interest in Nigeria’s OML 118 Production Sharing Contract, raising its stake in the deep-water Bonga field from 55% to 65% and reinforcing its commitment to growing upstream output.

The deal, executed through Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), follows last year’s final investment decision on the Bonga North project and aligns with Shell’s strategy to prioritise high-return, existing assets. Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water oil development, has been a core pillar of Shell’s regional portfolio for two decades and remains one of the country's most strategic offshore producers.

The acquisition had initially been expected to total 12.5%, but Nigerian Agip Exploration—an Eni subsidiary—exercised pre-emption rights to acquire 2.5%, revising Shell’s incremental gain to 10%. The updated ownership structure now places SNEPCo at 65% (operator), Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria at 20%, and Agip at 15%, with all partners operating on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The move supports Shell’s target to grow combined Integrated Gas and Upstream production by around 1% annually to 2030 and helps secure the company’s stated 1.4 million barrels per day of liquids output. As Nigeria seeks to revitalize its offshore sector and stabilize crude supply, increased operator investment in mature deep-water assets is seen as a critical pathway to sustaining national production levels.

Industry observers have noted that the Bonga North expansion—expected to tap several hundred million barrels of oil equivalent—could help reverse Nigeria’s offshore decline curve, provided fiscal and regulatory stability continues to improve.

Shell’s announcement also reiterated standard cautionary statements regarding forward-looking expectations, reflecting ongoing geopolitical, market, and policy risks faced by global operators.

Overall, the higher stake signals confidence in Nigeria’s upstream potential, continued capital allocation to advantaged conventional oil, and the long-term role of deep-water assets in Shell’s portfolio strategy.

Indonesia Invites Firms to Explore 108 Untapped Oil and Gas Basins

By Charles Kennedy - Nov 25, 2025

Indonesia looks to unlock its upstream potential by offering more than 100 previously untapped oil and gas basins to global investors for exploration. 

Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, which is also a major oil and gas producer, aims to reverse its decade-long production decline and bolster national energy security. 

Indonesia targets to nearly double its oil production to 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil. Currently, Indonesia pumps about 600,000 bpd of crude.   

Indonesia has developed only 20 out of 128 identified oil and gas basins across its archipelago, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resource, Yuliot Tanjung, said at the launch event to attract investments in Indonesia’s energy future.   

The government is allocating resources to its Geological Agency to conduct advanced 2D and 3D surveys, paving the way for exploration to unlock the potential of these resources, the official said. 

“Our shared vision is clear: by 2029, Indonesia will achieve its production target of 1 million barrels of oil per day, boost energy security, and advance sustainable development,” Yuliot said at the event. 

Indonesia has also prepared 75 oil and gas blocks across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, and offshore areas for auctions and concessions. Nine of these oil and gas blocks have been awarded to business entities, with several more blocks to follow, the deputy energy minister added. 

Earlier this year, Indonesia awarded five strategic oil and gas blocks to international and domestic players. The awards are part of Indonesia’s broader upstream revival strategy, with nearly 60 additional blocks expected to be offered over the coming years. 

Once a key OPEC member and oil exporter, Indonesia has increasingly relied on imports to meet domestic energy demand in recent years. Indonesia quit OPEC in 2016 when the cartel struck a deal with non-OPEC producers led by Russia to withhold supply to the market via producers in the OPEC+ pact, reducing their production.   

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com 

OUTLAW LIVESTOCK CARRIERS

Livestock Carrier Accused of MARPOL Violations as it Tries to Unload Cattle

AWF is tracking the situation to highlight the need to end live animal exports (AWF file photo)

Published Nov 24, 2025 4:12 PM by The Maritime Executive

Animal advocacy groups are again sounding the alarm about a livestock carrier that appears to be roaming the Mediterranean seeking ports to unload its cargo after it was turned away from Turkey. The Animal Welfare Foundation is calling attention to the situation aboard the Togo-flagged vessel Spiridon II as it continues to advocate for a ban on live animal transport on the high seas.

The vessel has been at sea since September 20 with an initial load of 2,901 cattle, which had been destined for Turkey coming from Uruguay. After reaching Turkey on October 22, the vessel was stopped from unloading after the Turks reportedly found irregularities in the paperwork, including a mismatch between the papers and the animal’s tags. The ship was briefly permitted to dock to load additional supplies, but set sail again on November 14, reporting the cargo was being returned to Uruguay, where it was expected on December 14.

The Animal Welfare Foundation has been tracking the vessel and reports it has gone dark on several occasions in the past few days. The ship turned up off the coast of Tunisia and then arrived in Benghazi, Libya, on November 22. Eyewitnesses and satellite images showed trucks at the vessel, and loaded animal transporters were seen leaving the port area on Sunday, November 23.

It is unclear how many of the animals were offloaded and what the status is aboard the vessel. AWF reports that the veterinarian who accompanied the animals on the trip from Uruguay left the ship in Turkey. They also speculate that the feed loaded in Turkey on November 9 is depleted.

 

Spiridon II in the port of Bandarma © Animal Welfare Foundation/Animal Save Movement Türkiye

 

Also, unclear is what has happened to the carcasses of the animals that died aboard. Veterinary authorities in Turkey had reported that at least 58 animals had died, and AWF fears far more died, as well as the pregnant cows that were aboard and due to give birth. 

“We assume the dead animals were thrown overboard,” AWF writes, “and that the sewage accumulated over two months was illegally discharged.” They had noted white sacks on the deck of the vessel, which were missing when it reached Libya.  Observers also said they did not notice “any smell of manure or dead animals.”

“We are witnessing one of the most serious violations of animal welfare and marine conservation in recent years – and yet another example of the structural failure of the live animal trade by sea,” says Maria Boada Saña, veterinarian at AWF. “The authorities must now immediately clarify whether there are still animals on board, where the animals are being taken, and what happened during the signal shutdowns.”

AWF is calling for an international investigation into the ship as well as a medical examination of any animals still onboard. It is also demanding an investigation into possible MARPOL violations.

The Spiridon II, according to its AIS signal, departed Benghazi on November 24. It reports a destination of Alexandria, Egypt, where it is due on November 27. AWF highlights that the vessel had previously indicated a destination of Lebanon. Databases indicated the ship is managed from Lebanon and owned by a company in Honduras.

Built in 1973, the vessel is 4,000-dwt and is listed as having 4,000 square meters of space for animals. It was converted to a livestock carrier in 2011 and has been registered in Togo since 2018.
 

 

EU-Mercosur trade pact faces dual threat from Paris and internal rifts

"I think there is a lot of misperception, a lot of disinformation, a lot of fake news, about the quality [of food], like we're going to poison the citizens of the EU. Which, of course, makes no sense,” said Brazil's ambassador to the EU, Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva. / pixabay

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By bnl Sao Paulo bureau November 21, 2025

The long-negotiated EU-Mercosur agreement, which would establish a free-trade area encompassing nearly 800mn people, is set to enter a decisive phase amid French opposition and broader tensions within the South American bloc.

Paris, along with Poland, continues to oppose the agreement, worried that its strong agricultural sector will be hit by unfair competition and concerned about the enforcement of strict environmental standards. 

But the Latin American group also suffers from internal rifts. Brazil's government wants to cut funds for Focem, a development body, angering Uruguay and Paraguay, the main beneficiaries, adding to Argentina’s President Javier Milei’s preference for the US and scepticism about the trading bloc as another potential destabilising element.

"Fake news about food quality"

Brazil's ambassador to the EU has pushed back hard against criticism of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, calling concerns over its impact on Europe's farm sector "disinformation,” Euractiv reported.

"I think there is a lot of misperception, a lot of disinformation, a lot of fake news, about the quality [of food], like we're going to poison the citizens of the EU. Which, of course, makes no sense,” said Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva.

His comments come amid continued pressure from EU farmers and politicians who warn that cheaper Mercosur products, produced under what they claim are lower standards, would undercut European producers, the outlet reported.

Silva stressed that both the EU and Mercosur — comprising Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay — are "agricultural superpowers”, adding the blocs are "trading on equal terms" and that Mercosur countries already comply with EU rules as major suppliers of agri-food products.

"If we didn't comply, we wouldn't be in the market,” he added.

The ambassador dismissed allegations of an uneven playing field, arguing that Mercosur farmers receive far fewer subsidies than their European counterparts.

"There is an issue of level playing field here, but it's against us, not in our favour," he said.

Addressing concerns that the agreement could limit the EU's ability to introduce new environmental legislation — an argument some MEPs are planning to use to challenge the deal before the EU Court of Justice — he said it "will not change the possibility of the countries to regulate and protect human, animal or plant health."

Silva noted that Brazil mainly exports coffee and soy, products the EU barely produces, while sensitive sectors are protected through quotas and reinforced safeguards unveiled by the Commission in September.

"There will be a lot of opportunities for EU farmers on the other side. We made a lot of concessions in sensitive sectors, for us … wine, dairy, but a lot of other products," said Silva.

France maintains opposition

Despite Brazilian reassurances, France continues to resist the agreement. "A trade agreement negotiated between the EU and Mercosur is not yet acceptable to France in its current form," a government spokesperson stated this week.

France expects the European Commission to present measures on clauses for agricultural imports "as soon as possible," the spokesman said after a weekly meeting of ministers led by President Emmanuel Macron.

Yet Macron has limited room for manoeuvre, as he faces growing domestic opposition amid a long-running domestic political crisis. A resolution opposing the Mercosur trade agreement signed by 103 French MPs calls on the French government to refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice, arguing the trade deal violates EU treaties.

According to the MPs, the European Commission's decision not to submit the trade part of the agreement to national parliaments for approval is illegal.

However, if France were to oppose the agreement, it would need to form a blocking minority in the Council requiring at least four member states representing 35% of the population, and it is not clear Macron has the numbers.

So far, Hungary and Poland have said they oppose the deal, while Ireland, Austria, and the Netherlands say they await the fully translated text before making a decision. The key country is Italy, and a change of heart in Rome, whose support for the deal is only lukewarm, could become a game-changer.

December deadline looms

EU member states approved the safeguard package this week without changes to the Commission proposal, while MEPs will vote on it in December, Euractiv reported.

The second week of December will be decisive: EU governments are expected to give their green light before Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travels to Brazil on December 20 to seal the agreement with Mercosur leaders.

Supporters of the agreement, led by Germany and Spain, argue it is necessary in the face of Chinese competition in the region and fresh tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on EU exports to the US.

Mercosur internal tensions

Beyond EU negotiations, Mercosur faces internal strains. Brazil's government has proposed a drastic cut to Focem, the Mercosur fund created in 2004 to finance integration and infrastructure projects, triggering conflict with Uruguay and Paraguay, the main beneficiaries, Folha de S. Paulo reported.

The Brazilian proposal seeks to reduce the annual contribution from $100mn to approximately $30mn while changing contribution and distribution rules among member countries.

Montevideo and Asunción reacted sharply, saying the plan "sends a negative signal for regional integration" and "weakens both politically and economically Mercosur's main cohesion mechanism.”

Paraguay's delegation to Mercosur also informed Brazil, which holds the bloc's pro-tempore presidency, that the country "is not available on the proposed dates” for the planned summit on December 20, a date changed by the host country – initially the summit was due on December 2 – in the hope the EU-Mercosur deal could also be signed on that day.

More worringly, the trade and investment agreement announced by Argentina with the US clearly signals Argentina's lack of commitment to Mercosur, a position floated by President Milei in public remarks, according to the industrial trade group in the state of Santa Catarina (Fiesc).

"The agreement shows that Argentina would be willing to withdraw from the bloc at a delicate moment. It remains to be seen what measures Brazil and the other countries in the bloc will take regarding continued participation and whether there will be consequences for negotiations with the EU," said Fiesp.

 

Stranded Livestock Carrier Gets Under Way at Last

BAN LIVE ANIMAL CARRIERS

Courtesy Animal Welfare Foundation

Published Nov 14, 2025 11:08 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

Animal advocacy groups have been raising the alarm over the situation aboard livestock carrier Spiridon II, which was stranded off the Turkish coast for weeks due to irregularities in paperwork. 58 cows have already died, with another 140 pregnant cows suffering miscarriages. Shortly after publication of a report on the situation by Sky News, the vessel weighed anchor and got under way.

Spiridon II was stranded in the Turkish waters for 24 days, and the authorities refused permission to unload the animals due to discrepancies in ear tag documentation. Rights groups called for the intervention of the European Union.

The carrier was anchored off Bandirma Port in Turkey, having left Uruguay on September 19 loaded with 2,901 animals and arriving in Turkey on October 22. As of Saturday morning local time, the vessel was finally under way again, making 10 knots and declaring her destination as Uruguay. 

According to the rights groups, the animals have endured stress, hunger and exhaustion resulting in the deaths of 58 cows. Observers have counted 50 newborn calves on board, but 90 more remain unaccounted for, meaning their fate cannot be determined.

As Turkish authorities hold their ground, residents have begun to complain of odors. Rights activists are concerned that the animals have been deprived of adequate fodder, bedding, and potable water and are being forced to endure heat stress, dehydration and fatigue.

The Animal Advocacy & Food Transition (AAFT), together with Animal Welfare Foundation, Animals International and livestock shipping expert and veterinarian Dr. Lynn Simpson demanded EU authorities’ intervention. The groups sent letters to both the European Commission and the World Organization for Animal Health to push Turkish authorities to allow the unloading of the animals. (The fact that Turkey is not a member of the bloc means the EU lacks jurisdictional powers to force the unloading.)

“The tragedy aboard Spiridon II is yet just another example of the inherent risks of long-distance sea transport. Inadequate oversight, poorly maintained vessels, unpredictable port procedures, and weak enforcement combine to create an environment where animal suffering is routine and preventable deaths are inevitable,” said AAFT in a statement.

Built in 1973, the 4,000-dwt Spiridon II was converted to a livestock carrier in 2011. It is listed as having 4,000 square meters of space for animals. Its ownership is registered in Honduras, with management by a Lebanese firm. The ship has been registered with the Paris MOU "black list" flag of Togo since 2018.

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Beasts of burden - Antagonism and Practical History | libcom.org

Beasts of burden - Antagonism and Practical History. An attempt to rethink the separation between animal liberationist and communist politics. (Published ...