Brussels, 13/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 12 December, the European Parliament called for improvements to be made to the way in which livestock are transported. With the adoption (555 votes in favour, 56 against and 34 abstentions) of the report by Polish Conservative Janusz Wojciechowski on the protection of animals during transport, MEPs point out that, over the period 2005-2009, there was a considerable increase in the number of animals transported - an increase of 8% for cattle, 70% for pigs and 3% for sheep (only horse transport declined by 17%).
The Parliament admits having recommended, in 2011, an eight-hour journey limit for animals to be slaughtered. It recognises, however, that such a demand alone has no scientific basis. It considers that animal welfare during transport in some instances depends more on proper vehicle facilities and on the proper handling of animals. The Parliament nonetheless calls on the Commission and member states to lay down guidelines for best practice with a view to improving the implementation of Regulation (EC) No1/2005, and to reinforce control mechanisms in order to guarantee animal welfare.
MEPs insist “on a reconsideration of the issue of limiting the transport time of animals destined for slaughter to eight hours”, taking account of loading time, irrespective of whether this takes place on land or at sea, “with some exceptions taking into account geographic conditions in the outermost regions, sparse road networks, remote location, or the option of longer transport of some animal species confirmed by scientific research results, provided that the rules on animal welfare are complied with”. The Parliament notes that it must be possible to extend transport times in the event of unforeseeable transport delays (traffic jams, breakdowns, accidents, diversions, force majeure, etc.).
The Parliament considers that animals should, as a principle, be slaughtered as close to their place of rearing as possible. It invites member states to properly implement the existing legislation on animal transport and calls on the Commission to promote local processing, whenever possible. It is convinced that European policy should aim to help the creation of short and transparent supply chains, while safeguarding market supply in all member states and in the outermost regions. It highlights the fact that EU hygiene legislation, while ensuring the highest level of protection for consumers, should not unnecessarily hamper the development of mobile or small-scale regional slaughter and processing facilities. (LC/transl.jl)