They are only a few weeks old, still dependent on breast milk – and yet over 1,400 kilometers: calves from Austria and Germany, which are fattened in Spain and later slaughtered in North Africa and in the Middle East.
In a joint research, document the investigative platform The Marker and the animal rights organization SOKO animal protection Systematic grievances when transporting calves as well as dead and weakened animals in Spanish masts. Further proceed with official documents the further export for slaughter to North Africa and the Middle East. SOKO animal protection filed criminal complaint.
1.400 kilometer transport clearly exceeds permissible duration
In April 2025 the research team documented The Marker and SOKO animal protection A transport of dairy calves from a collection point in Bavaria, where calves from dairy farms are collected weekly and loaded for export. The journey led through France to a collection point in Northeastern Spain. There, the truck stood for another four hours after around 18 hours of transport – without unloading the animals.
The documented overall transport time of 22 hours significantly exceeds the maximum limits in the EU. SOKO animal protection has filed a criminal complaint against the transport company.
Health risk: Spain fattened Europe’s surplus animals
At the collection point in Spain, the calves were loaded to regional trucks and brought to various fattening companies in the interior. Spain specializes in the mast of male young animals that are considered economically unprofitable in countries such as Austria and Germany.
In a fattening operation, calves from six countries could be identified based on their ear brands – they came from Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, France and Ireland. Overall, the research team visited eleven mast halls. They documented the sick, dying and dead animals.
Tobias Giesinger, founder of The Marker: „In a Spanish fattening operation, we saw calves from six different countries. Farmers we talked to often didn’t even know where their animals came from. This system harbors enormous health risks – in many places only the routine use of antibiotics remains.
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Documents prove: further export to Libya, Egypt and in Lebanon
About the Spanish port of Tarragona, part of these calves are shipped to North Africa and the Middle East after the mast. The Marker has received official charges of several animal transport ships through the animal welfare organization “Animal Welfare Foundation”. These documents show that cattle were brought about the animals for slaughter to Libya, Egypt and Lebanon – including from Austria. They come from dairy farms throughout Austria and were brought to Spain through several middlemen.
Ann-Kathrin joy, founder of The Marker: „We all only see one part: the milk pack in the supermarket, the farm next door or the animal van on the street. What is often missing is the view of the whole. Our research shows how the system works with the unwanted calves – across national borders and largely invisible to the public. Not even the farmer: inside know that their animals are slaughtered outside the EU at the end.
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34,207 calves from Austria in 2024 – politics looks away
As soon as the animals leave Austria, there is a lack of transparency – and political interest. In 2024 alone, 34,207 calves from Austria were exported to other EU countries for the purpose of the mast. Throughout the EU, it was over two million that were moved across Europe. Responsibility for your well -being is passed on along the supply chain. In the end, nobody wants to wear it.