MEPs on the European Parliament’s agriculture committee called on the European Commission on Wednesday 25 January to propose cutting maximum transport times for horses for slaughter.
With its adoption, by 43 votes to 1, of the report by Julie Girling (ECR, UK) on responsible ownership and care of equidae, the committee also calls on member states to ensure that all slaughterhouses within their borders are approved and regularly inspected. The Girling report will be debated at the plenary session in Strasbourg, 13-16 March.
MRLs for Phenylbutazone. The committee calls on the Commission to pay particular care to end of life care for equids and to set maximum residue levels (MRLs) for commonly used veterinary medicines such as Phenylbutazone. It also wants a legal void to be filled and records to be kept of medicines administered to animals originally not destined for slaughter (horses registered as not destined for the production of food) to avoid potential dangers to public health if they are then slaughtered illegally.
MEPs want the Commission to adopt measures to ensure effective traceability of horsemeat. They also call for proper checks of imported meat at EU borders.
New medicines and preservation of wild breeds. The committee calls on the Commission to consider harmonising access to treatment and medication throughout the EU in order to avoid distortion of competition and facilitate wider treatment of equid diseases. They also call for more investment into development of new equine medicines and vaccines and want the EU to provide financial support for the preservation of native species of equidae in the wild or in danger of extinction on the continent.
Tackling poor treatment. MEPs also call for equid owners to receive training so as to ensure the good health and welfare of animals in their care. Member states should apply stricter legislation to fight mistreatments and impose extraordinary measures to combat abandonments.
Lastly, the Commission is asked to: - develop animal welfare indicators; - draft a European guide on good practice in the equid sector for breeders, equid societies, farms, stables, sanctuaries, transporters and slaughterhouses; - give member states greater flexibility in setting lower VAT rates for all activities in the industry. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)