This is an animal exporting lorry - or 'Transporter'. It holds around 500 sheep and is used to transport animals through the port of Dover onto the European continent. The port of Dover once tried to ban the export of live animals, but their ban was appealed by the exporters and the legal system in this country decided that it was a legal trade and Dover Port Authority had no choice but to allow the disgusting trade to continue. Dover Port Authority was also made to pay around one million pounds in compensation to the exporters that had lost trade due to the ban.

Currently, none of the cross-channel ferry services will allow these disgusting vehicles on board their ships, (though they will take animals for 'breeding purposes' this in itself being open to abuse, as was the case leading up to the Eid el Kerbir when a lorry load of sheep classed as breeding stock, was found to contain castrated animals. These in turn found their way to the 'Killing Fields' around Paris, see 'Ritual Slaughter' ) so the Welsh farmers have chartered a vessel - the Cap Afrique, which visits Dover around three times per week to pick up it's cargo of death. There have been several undercover investigations (by the R.S.P.C.A. C.I.W.Fand several independent television companies) into the journeys these animals are forced to take, the suffering they endure whilst in transport and at their destinations. Many people are horrified to learn that sometimes up to one third of a lorry load of animals arrive either dead or close to death from the journey.

This is the Cap Afrique - the ship chartered by the Welsh farmers which is currently the only vessel exporting live animals from Dover. As can be seen, the lorries are even berthed on the deck, so the animals on board are vulnerable to extremes of heat and cold, as well as the usual rigours of cross-channel travel such as gale force winds, heavy seas, etc.

Presently crossings can be on any evening. The Cap Afrique, sails every week-day evening. She takes assorted cargo and animal trucks can go on any of these days. Times do vary but are on average between 20 . 00 hours and 01. 00 hours. Sailings and times are subject to change, the weather is also a factor, so up to date information can be obtained from our information line on 01304 204688.

Before being transported abroad, the animals have to be fed, watered and rested in a lairage. These lairages are also prime targets for demonstrations and have been the scene of many peaceful (although noisy) demonstrations.