We are running another billboard campaign, to help raise awareness of this cruel industry. Every year thousands of young bulls are shipped to countries outside the EU that have appalling animal welfare standards, particularly at slaughter. Male dairy calves are escaping export to veal farms in Europe only to find themselves shipped off to the Middle East and North Africa as weanlings and young adults - a fate worse than veal.

Sea journeys take up to 16 days and the animals can suffer from motion sickness, just like we do. High levels of ammonia and humidity lead to high incidence of respiratory illness, the main cause of death during these shipments. The pens have a thin layer of sawdust that soon becomes soiled, and injuries from slippages are common. They are only cleaned once during the journey, if at all. A vet rarely travels with these shipments and the crew only has rudimentary training. We have seen young bulls arriving at the destination port with nasal discharge, severe ringworm, broken horns, blindness caused by corneal ulcers, diarrheoa, bloody knees. Bloat and acidosis are also common, due to the sudden change in diet, both can be extremely painful.

The journey is only one concern, the destination countries have very little in the way of animal welfare legislation and numerous investigations by several NGOs over the years have highlighted brutal slaughter practices. There is a lack of facilities and infrastructure, poor education and knowledge around animal sentience, no veterinary presence and no legislation.

We should not be exporting animals to countries that do not have the same animal welfare regulations and standards as we do in Ireland. This cruelty must stop. Enough is Enough.

The billboards will cost €5,500 for 12 boards, for a two week slot. They should be going up on 25th March.