The transport ban was imposed with immediate effect after Danish broadcaster DR over the weekend screened images of pigs being transported under shocking conditions including lack of water and food on a truck stopped near the Latvian-Russian border.

The report said Latvian customs officials found some 33 dead pigs among the 1,150 pigs on the truck. In addition, several pigs had broken bones and other injuries, and 36 had to be put down immediately.

DR said the truck was operated by a Danish haulier who had often violated animal welfare rules and whose permit was suspended in Denmark, but who had circumvented the ban with a Polish permit.

The television reporters also monitored trucks headed for Belarus and showed images of animals being beaten by a trucker.

"The dead animals and the beatings are completely unacceptable. As farmers we are responsible for what happens with our animals even after they have left our stables," said Peter Gaemelke, head of the Agricultural Council that groups farmers and the food industry.

Source: Jurnalo