B4-1272, 1273 and 1274/96

Resolution on the implementation of Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 91/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission's answer to the oral question on the implementation of Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 91/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport ((OJ L 148, 30.6.1995, p. 52.)),

- having regard to its opinion of 15 December 1993 on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 91/628/EEC ((OJ C 20, 24.1.1994, p. 63.)) and its resolutions of 30 September 1994 on the protection of animals during transport ((OJ C 305, 31.10.1994, p. 148.)) and of 15 February 1995 on livestock welfare ((OJ C 56, 6.3.1995, p. 53.)),

A. whereas, in budget heading B2-511 in the 1996 budget, ECU 2.5 million is earmarked for the monitoring of the transport of animals,

B. whereas, pursuant to Article 13 of Directive 91/628/EEC, the Council has amended that directive by means of Directive 95/29/EC, which lays down criteria regarding maximum journey times, the intervals at which animals must be fed and watered, rest periods, space allowances, and the standards to be met by means of transport as regards the transport of certain types of animal,

C. whereas Article 2 of Directive 95/29/EC lays down a clear time limit for the directive's transposition into the national laws of the Member States,

D. whereas the transport of animals within the EU and in the import and export trade in which animals suffer must cease immediately, even if such offences against animal protection provisions are committed by only a minority of animal transporters,

1. Criticizes the Commission for not submitting the required implementing legislation on time and calls for this to be done before the year ends; calls on all the Member States to implement the amendments to Directive 91/628/EEC by the appointed date, 31 December 1996, despite the absence of implementing legislation;

2. Calls on the Commission to submit to the Council and Parliament by 31 December 1999, as provided for in Article 13(3), a report on the state of implementation of the directive in the EU Member States,

3. Calls on the Commission to carry out, in close cooperation with the Member States, random checks to establish whether compliance is being shown with the legislation on the protection of animals during transport within the Union and whether budget heading B2-511 is being properly utilized;

4. Asks the Commission to take account of legislation on animal welfare in the negotiations on veterinary agreements with third countries;

5. Calls on the Commission to cooperate closely with the Member States in ensuring effective monitoring of the transport of animals in the EU and in the import and export trade and to draw up an interim report before 31 December 1997 explaining the measures taken, assessing the implementation of the directive in the Member States and giving information on the use of the resources entered in the budget for this purpose;

6. Is of the opinion that the EU can illustrate that it is quite feasible to conduct a vibrant internal and external trade in live animals without having to compromise on the welfare of animals in transport;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.