Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden called, at the EU ‘Agriculture’ Council on Monday 18 July for an ambitious update of animal transport legislation in the EU.
These five delegations have recommended, in a joint document, a limit of eight hours for the transport of all animals going to slaughter (see EUROPE 12988/15).
Denmark presented the demands of the five countries and welcomed the “positive” stance of the European Commission on the issue of updating the animal transport regulation.
“I hope that the Commission will be able to quickly propose a revision of the rules on animal transport”, the German delegation stressed.
For the Netherlands, it is necessary to move forward: instead of transporting animals over long distances, the products should be transported (meat, seeds...)
Lithuania said that it supported the demands of these countries and that these strengthened rules should also apply to imported products.
“We support this document, in particular the eight-hour limit”, said the Luxembourg minister. Austria also supports the eight hour limit. Slovakia called as well for an update of the regulation.
France stressed the need to have the assessments of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and called for: - harmonisation of rules for exports; - equivalent rules (to those of the EU) for imported products.
Caution. Hungary has asked not to ban long-distance transport. Not all Member States have slaughterhouses close to the farm, Romania recalled. An eight-hour limit is likely to be an impediment, according to this country.
Ireland and other countries have called for proposals to be based on science.
The Commission at work. The EU Commissioner for Health, Stella Kyriakides, stressed that EFSA opinions on strengthening animal welfare should be available in September. The Commission will make proposals in 2023 on strengthening animal welfare.
“Transport is a priority”, the Commissioner stressed. She mentioned in particular the work on long-distance transport, live animal transport and the transport of unweaned calves.
Finally, she said that the Commission will adopt legislation by the end of 2022 to “improve farm animal inspections”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)