# CE2004078EN.01057401.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/574 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/574

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(2004/C 78 E/0608)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3523/03

by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 November 2003)

Subject:   Proposed new livestock transport regulations

Subject:

| 1. | Were the Commission officials responsible for drafting the proposed new livestock transport regulations trained in animal husbandry, practical livestock handling or veterinary science? |
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1.

Were the Commission officials responsible for drafting the proposed new livestock transport regulations trained in animal husbandry, practical livestock handling or veterinary science?

| 2. | Does the Commission accept that the reduction of maximum journey times for livestock from 14 hours to 9 hours with a mandatory 12-hour rest period will, in fact, significantly extend journey times and therefore add to stress of travelling animals? On what scientific evidence are these recommendations based? |
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2.

Does the Commission accept that the reduction of maximum journey times for livestock from 14 hours to 9 hours with a mandatory 12-hour rest period will, in fact, significantly extend journey times and therefore add to stress of travelling animals? On what scientific evidence are these recommendations based?

| 3. | Has the Commission carried out a cost analysis to ascertain the additional headage cost per animal that the new regulations will incur and which will have to be paid by farmers? |
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3.

Has the Commission carried out a cost analysis to ascertain the additional headage cost per animal that the new regulations will incur and which will have to be paid by farmers?

| 4. | Has the Commission analysed the likely impact on jobs in terms of existing hauliers who may go out of business rather than attempt to meet the new regulatory standards? |
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4.

Has the Commission analysed the likely impact on jobs in terms of existing hauliers who may go out of business rather than attempt to meet the new regulatory standards?

| 5. | How does the Commission intend water to be made available to livestock in floats? |
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5.

How does the Commission intend water to be made available to livestock in floats?

| 6. | If water is to be accessed via teats or nipples, how does the Commission intend to train farm animals in the use of such devices? |
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6.

If water is to be accessed via teats or nipples, how does the Commission intend to train farm animals in the use of such devices?

| 7. | Does the Commission accept that the provision of continuous supplies of food and water during transport is inconsistent with the public health requirement of presenting only clean livestock for slaughter? |
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7.

Does the Commission accept that the provision of continuous supplies of food and water during transport is inconsistent with the public health requirement of presenting only clean livestock for slaughter?

| 8. | On what scientific evidence is the proposal for space allowances during transport of livestock based? Does the Commission accept that increased space allowances as proposed can lead to serious injuries amongst livestock and can dangerously de-stabilise vehicles, creating a potential road hazard? |
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8.

On what scientific evidence is the proposal for space allowances during transport of livestock based? Does the Commission accept that increased space allowances as proposed can lead to serious injuries amongst livestock and can dangerously de-stabilise vehicles, creating a potential road hazard?

| 9. | Can the Commission provide scientific evidence which justifies a one-size-fits-all livestock transport regulation applicable to all 25 Member States, regardless of whether they are in more temperate northern climates or hot, southern climates? |
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9.

Can the Commission provide scientific evidence which justifies a one-size-fits-all livestock transport regulation applicable to all 25 Member States, regardless of whether they are in more temperate northern climates or hot, southern climates?

| 10. | Will the Commission list the number of successful prosecutions for breaches of existing livestock transport regulations in each of the 15 existing Member States, on a country-by-country basis, during 2002? |
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10.

Will the Commission list the number of successful prosecutions for breaches of existing livestock transport regulations in each of the 15 existing Member States, on a country-by-country basis, during 2002?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2004)

(20 January 2004)

| 1. | The elaboration of the Commission proposal (1) on the protection of animals during transport was coordinated by the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection that is competent for animal welfare issues. All the required expertise from outside and inside the Commission was ensured during the process of drafting. |
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1.

The elaboration of the Commission proposal (1) on the protection of animals during transport was coordinated by the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection that is competent for animal welfare issues. All the required expertise from outside and inside the Commission was ensured during the process of drafting.

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| 2. | The Commission proposal takes into account several elements including the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (Scahaw) of March 2002. Travelling time limits as recommended by scientists have been developed taking into account the Union's social legislation for drivers. The resulting travel sequences were adopted by the Commission in order to facilitate enforcement and improve controls without extending the presently required journey durations. |
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2.

The Commission proposal takes into account several elements including the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (Scahaw) of March 2002. Travelling time limits as recommended by scientists have been developed taking into account the Union's social legislation for drivers. The resulting travel sequences were adopted by the Commission in order to facilitate enforcement and improve controls without extending the presently required journey durations.

| 3. | The Commission has estimated that there will be minimal cost implications for journeys of less than nine hours. These journeys constitute the great majority of all animal movements (nearly 90 % ). As for long distance journeys, the additional costs potentially introduced by the proposal are expected to be partially compensated by direct economical returns such as low mortality and better meat quality. |
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3.

The Commission has estimated that there will be minimal cost implications for journeys of less than nine hours. These journeys constitute the great majority of all animal movements (nearly 90 % ). As for long distance journeys, the additional costs potentially introduced by the proposal are expected to be partially compensated by direct economical returns such as low mortality and better meat quality.

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| 4. | Experience shows that long distance transportation is an important factor for the welfare of the animals and requires appropriate standards. The Commission is of the opinion that such a type of journey should be reserved only to transporters that are able to ensure sufficient guarantees in this regard. As a consequence haulier associations have been consulted during the elaboration of the proposal. The Commission has been supported by these organizations in developing its initiative in order to achieve higher qualification for the category. |
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4.

Experience shows that long distance transportation is an important factor for the welfare of the animals and requires appropriate standards. The Commission is of the opinion that such a type of journey should be reserved only to transporters that are able to ensure sufficient guarantees in this regard. As a consequence haulier associations have been consulted during the elaboration of the proposal. The Commission has been supported by these organizations in developing its initiative in order to achieve higher qualification for the category.

| 5. and 6. | Requirements for water supply are provided for long distance journeys for transport by road, rail or sea containers (2). These lorries or containers shall be equipped with automatic drinking equipment and water tanks equipped with a specified capacity so as to allow sufficient autonomy for the transporter to decide the appropriate time for watering the animals including when they are loaded on to a vessel. For dedicated livestock vessels the proposal (3) requires fresh water storage or production facilities adapted to the animals transported. Provision for feed is only required for journeys exceeding 24 hours. According to scientists, animals fasting longer would be seriously affected in their welfare. |
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5. and 6.

Requirements for water supply are provided for long distance journeys for transport by road, rail or sea containers (2). These lorries or containers shall be equipped with automatic drinking equipment and water tanks equipped with a specified capacity so as to allow sufficient autonomy for the transporter to decide the appropriate time for watering the animals including when they are loaded on to a vessel. For dedicated livestock vessels the proposal (3) requires fresh water storage or production facilities adapted to the animals transported. Provision for feed is only required for journeys exceeding 24 hours. According to scientists, animals fasting longer would be seriously affected in their welfare.

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| 7. | The proposed rules on animal transport are in line with the most recent requirements in the field of public health and food safety. |
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7.

The proposed rules on animal transport are in line with the most recent requirements in the field of public health and food safety.

| 8. | The starting point of the Commission proposal for space allowances is the opinion of the Scahaw which recommended substantial increase of the space allowances. |
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8.

The starting point of the Commission proposal for space allowances is the opinion of the Scahaw which recommended substantial increase of the space allowances.

| 9. | Great variations in climatic conditions that could occur during long distance transportation (such as the ones from the United Kingdom to Greece during summertime) are proved to affect the welfare of the animals in the vehicles. The Scahaw issued an opinion in 1999 on Standards for the Microclimate inside Animal Transport Road Vehicles. The opinion is reflected in the ventilation and temperature requirements for long distance journeys adopted in the proposal. The panel on animal health and animal welfare of the European Food Security Authority (EFSA) is currently carrying out an evaluation on whether the opinion of 1999 needs updating on the basis of new scientific knowledge. |
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9.

Great variations in climatic conditions that could occur during long distance transportation (such as the ones from the United Kingdom to Greece during summertime) are proved to affect the welfare of the animals in the vehicles. The Scahaw issued an opinion in 1999 on Standards for the Microclimate inside Animal Transport Road Vehicles. The opinion is reflected in the ventilation and temperature requirements for long distance journeys adopted in the proposal. The panel on animal health and animal welfare of the European Food Security Authority (EFSA) is currently carrying out an evaluation on whether the opinion of 1999 needs updating on the basis of new scientific knowledge.

| 10. | Based on Article 8 of Directive 91/628/EEC (4) Member States shall provide to the Commission every year the number of inspections carried out on the protection of animals during transport. Such reports shall include details on infringements but not on the number of successful prosecutions. As for infringements a table providing data declared by each Member State in 2001 is being sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. However, the Commission in 2000 reported to the Council and to the Parliament (5) the difficulty of interpreting this information since no harmonised methodology is provided in the current Community legislation. The Commission proposal aims to remedy this deficiency. |
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10.

Based on Article 8 of Directive 91/628/EEC (4) Member States shall provide to the Commission every year the number of inspections carried out on the protection of animals during transport. Such reports shall include details on infringements but not on the number of successful prosecutions. As for infringements a table providing data declared by each Member State in 2001 is being sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. However, the Commission in 2000 reported to the Council and to the Parliament (5) the difficulty of interpreting this information since no harmonised methodology is provided in the current Community legislation. The Commission proposal aims to remedy this deficiency.

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(1)  COM(2003) 425 final.

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(2)  Chapter VI of Annex I to the proposal.

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(3)  Chapter IV of Annex I to the proposal.

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(4)  Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC, OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

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(5)  COM(2000) 809 final.

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