On Friday 17 February, the European Commission announced the adoption of new measures to strengthen the rules for protecting farm animals transported by sea. New, stricter requirements will apply to record keeping, emergency procedures, exit point facilities and the approval of livestock vessels to transport animals.
The new rules aim to strengthen the Member States’ inspections of livestock vessels. The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) will set up a European database to record all inspections and allow the Member States to access all relevant information during checks quickly.
Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides recalled incidents with livestock vessels in recent years. “Some current practices are unacceptable and compromise animal welfare. With the new rules and the upcoming review of animal welfare legislation, we are ensuring that checks are improved and that animals transported by sea benefit from the high animal welfare standards that Europe prides itself on”, she said.
The new rules include a delegated act on ship inspection and checks at exit points and an implementing act on recording, storing and sharing official control records, giving all the Member States rapid access to standardised information.
Both pieces of legislation will enter into force by May (see EUROPE 13110/2). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)