Brussels, 18/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Tuesday 17 May, Sweden called on the European Commission to put forward legislative proposals in September, designed to improve animal welfare. At the Agriculture Council, Sweden wants to see reinforced provisions on long journeys, rest periods and loading density.
In 2004, the Council adopted regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals in transport. It was then decided to make progress in stages, first of all reinforcing controls, then leaving aside controversial issues (transport times and loading density). Regulation 1/2005 provides that in 2011, the Commission will put together a report on the impact of the regulation on the welfare of animals being transported and on trade flows in live animals within the Community. This report is to be published in September. Sweden hopes that its publication will be accompanied by legislative proposals on longer journeys, rest periods and loading density. Amongst other things, Sweden recommends that transport times for animals be limited to 8 hours and that wherever possible, the transport of livestock be replaced by the transport of meat, eggs and embryos. Denmark, Finland, Austria and the Netherlands supported Sweden's requests. In the opposite corner, a group of countries (Italy, Romania, Spain and Greece) called the EU first of all to apply the provisions of the current regulation before thinking about tightening up the rules. The United Kingdom showed a certain caution, stressing that before reinforcing the rules, the Commission's report should be analysed and scientific data provided. (L.C./transl.fl)