All of the big shipping companies(P & O, Stena, Sealink, Brittany Ferries etc) had took note of public opinion and stopped live exports, but smaller companies like Phoenix were falling over themselves to cash in on this gap in the market!
Coventry City Council grounded the first scheduled Phoenix flights on November 3(due to protests) but just 2 days later, following a dramatic U-turn, the first veal flights were allowed to take off.
A report from the demo on the first day of flights
On Saturday 5th November, i went to Baginton Airport in Coventry to join a demo against the flying of baby calves to the veal crates of Europe. There were about 25 of us in all and we stood outside the gate waving our banners and shouting our disapproval to anyone at the airport who could hear us. This went on for an hour or so and we saw the plane take off in front of us. To think that those poor frightened babies were being flown in aircraft, which must cause them alot of fear and anxiety, and at the end of the journey to live for only a few months before being slaughtered, made me very angry and upset - but that was nothing compared to what was about to happen!
Suddenly i spotted the transport lorries that had the baby calves in and my stomach churned, the adrenalin pumped into my body causing all sorts of feelings - anger, pity, disgust, more anger, but to name a few. The wagons drove up to us and when I could see the calves faces I broke down in tears. Their big eyes and ears and their pink noses staring out at me pulled at my heart and I had to turn away - I have been to numerous demos and leafletted many times but never have I seen the animalsI am trying to help and save face to face and I was not prepared for the emotions the situation brought on.
After a while I became angry and shouted and screamed at the wagon along with everyone else and we ran through the gates following the wagon, everyone fired up with emotion and anger.
Once in the airport grounds, people were shouting and expressing themselves to the staff who were in the airport - I myself went and stood by the lorries to see the big pink noses, large fluffy ears and big brown eyes of the calves. I was sobbing at this stage but made myself stand there looking at these sorry souls in order that i could carry on campaigning to end the cruelty that was taking place there. After a while we were ushered off the premises and we stood outside the gates a little while longer. When i came home I was exhausted emotionally and physically from the days activities - but I will never give up trying to help these and all the other animals from the suffering they endure. We need as many people as we can to help with demos at Coventry - please help if you feel you can - action speaks louder than words!!
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