After five decades of restriction, the **Argentine government** has resumed the **export of live animals**. In this case, it involves **live cattle** being shipped abroad. The decision was officially announced through Decree 133/2025, published in the Official Gazette.
The measure was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, and it repeals Decree 322/1973, which had been implemented as a temporary solution during a **supply shortage crisis**.
The decision, according to the decree, is based on “respect for private property and the constitutional principles of **free movement of goods**, services, and labor”. Additionally, it aims to enhance greater integration of Argentina into the global trade, according to [environmental news](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/el-tiburon-de-aguas-profundas-en-peligro-por-el-aumento-del-comercio-de-su-carne-y-aceite/).
## Impact on the livestock sector and animal protection
The Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger, emphasized that this measure will allow “opening up countless new markets for the country’s **livestock sector**”. However, this decision has been criticized by [animal protection organizations](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/tiburones-patagonicos-proyecto-arrecife-para-su-proteccion/), who believe that it exposes animals to **extremely cruel treatment** in the industry.
Exporting live cattle “is an active and important market globally,” the official highlighted. He also pointed out that “the majority of **livestock-producing countries** allow this practice (92 countries export live cattle).
It is important to note that each export of live animals involves days or weeks at sea, where the animals are transported on cargo ships, **cramped, disoriented, and subjected** to the extreme stress of the journey.
With no room to move, amid their own waste and with **insufficient feeding**, many do not survive. Sometimes, those who fall ill or arrive weakened at the destination are discarded in the worst way: **thrown alive into the sea**.
## Impact of livestock on climate change
Livestock is responsible for 14.5% of the total annual greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Additionally, **this activity affects the climate** due to land use change, food production, manure, animal production, processing, and transportation, contributing to CO2, nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4).
Other negative impacts of livestock include soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and **air and water pollution**.
Other impacts of climate change on livestock are related to the **rise in temperature** (between 0.3 °C and 4.8 °C), the increase in carbon dioxide concentration, variations in precipitation patterns, and other factors.
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