Brussels; 26/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - A declaration on the transport of horses destined for slaughter within the European Union was officially adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday 25 February, after the text received the minimum number of MEPs' signatures required. The authors of this text are Elizabeth Lynne (ALDE, UK), Sidonia El¿bieta Jêdrzejewska (EPP, Poland) and Carl Schlyter (Greens/EFA, Sweden).
Every year, around 100,000 horses destined for slaughter are transported "unnecessarily long" distances into the European Union and throughout its territory (Ed: most of them arrive in Italy), the EP explains, adding that "comprehensively supported" data indicate that the long distances the horses are forced to travel cause various problems of well-being (injuries, disease, exhaustion and dehydration). The EP therefore takes the view that regulation 1/2005 of the Council of 22 December 2004 on animal protection during transport "is not being strictly applied".
Additionally, the EP takes note of the petition organised by World Horse Welfare concerning transport over long distances of horses destined for slaughter in Europe. It calls upon the Commission and the member states to carry out a rigorous examination of the evidence brought together in the World Horse Welfare dossier in the context of the Commission's re-examination of regulation 1/2005 of the Council. Lastly, the member states and the European Commission are called upon to ensure that this regulation is being strictly adhered to. (L.C./transl.fl)