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Parliament‘s inquiry into the protection of animals during transport (the ANIT committee), set up in June 2020 to investigate alleged violations of EU rules, has concluded that EU provisions in this area are not always complied with in member states and do not fully take into account the different transport needs of animals.
Based on the findings, MEPs on ANIT committee approved a set of draft recommendations including:
- CCTV cameras on transport vehicles, especially for loading and unloading
- proper temperature (between 5ºC and 30ºC)
- ban on transporting very young animals
- establish journey time limits
MEPs advocate a transition to a system that favours the transport of semen or embryos over breeding stock, and carcasses and meat over animals being moved for slaughter. They call on the Commission to present an action plan to support this transition no later than 2023, including a proposal on a specific fund to minimise the socio-economic impacts of the changes that need to be made.
There is no control system in place, MEPs say, for the transport of animals to non-EU countries. They demand member states inspect all consignments to non-EU countries. Live animal export should be approved only if it complies with European animal welfare standards.
The full House is to discuss both documents and vote on the draft recommendations at the Strasbourg plenary session in January 2022.
December 2, 2021/ European Parliament/ European Union.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/
