CAIRO (Reuters) - An activist dressed as a sheep, under the watchful
eye of Egyptian security, presented a large bouquet of flowers to the
Australian embassy in Cairo on Sunday as part of a campaign for a ban
on live animal exports.
Jason Baker, director of Asia Pacific for the animal rights PETA, gave
the flowers to consular officer Andrew Macksey to thank the Australian
government for the temporary ban it imposed in February after a film
showed animal abuse in Egypt.
"For once they (Australia) have made the right decision. Live exports
of animals should now be banned permanently," Baker told reporters
outside the embassy later.
The film, shot at Egyptian ports and abattoirs, shows sheep and cattle
dragged off ships by their legs and ears and later slaughtered within
sight of other animals.
After the film appeared on Australian television, the Australian
government sent a veterinary officer to investigate.
