WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/00

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Transport of live animals within the EU

In 1995 a directive was issued laying down minimum rules for the transport of live animals within the European Union. Five years have now passed and the directive is not being observed.

What action does the Commission intend to take to enforce the directive?

Does the Commission have any plans to improve the directive and thereby improve animal protection?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2000)

The Commission's responsibilities towards animal protection have increased under the recent protocol to the EC Treaty which requires the European institutions and Member States to consider animal welfare a priority when drawing up agriculture, transport, single market and research policies.

Member States are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of Community legislation. Commission experts, however, carry out periodic on-the-spot checks to ensure uniform application the Directive and that the Member States are monitoring compliance with the requirements of this Directive.

A working group of the standing veterinary committee was set up in 1999 and it is currently considering particular problems concerning the enforcement of the Community legislation in respect of long-distance transport operations.

In accordance with Article 13 of 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, the Commission as soon as possible will submit a report to the Council on the experience acquired by Member States derived from the application of Community legislation in this field. The report will also be presented to the Parliament.

The data concerning the enforcement of the Directives on animal protection during transport derived from the above-mentioned report, the conclusions of the working group as well as new scientific evidence in this field will be taken into account by the Commission when proposing amendments to improve current Community legislation.

Both the working group of the standing veterinary committee and the outcome of the report are identifying several areas of difficulty in enforcement and practical solutions are currently being examined.

The Commission will submit proposals to address these difficulties and in particular will provide for higher standards for the protection of horses transported for slaughter and to facilitate co-ordination and co-operation between Member States for example proposing the adoption of an harmonized model for the approval and certification of transporters. The question of the enforcement of transport legislation in third countries that are origin of the animals will be addressed too.

The Commission is also considering additional legislation concerning the ventilation of vehicles used for long distance transport including systems for the monitoring and registration of temperature inside the compartments where animals are kept.

In addition, the Commission believes that the most effective way to achieve a widespread improvement in animal protection standards is to work towards an international consensus on this issue.

The question of long distance transport of animals and in particular horses is being discussed with the heads of the veterinary services of the Central and East European countries which are in the process of negotiating accession to the Community. On the basis of the outcome of that discussion, a protocol for the protection of horses during transport has been agreed.

In this framework the Commission is seeking a mandate from the Council to negotiate the participation of the Community in the revised European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport. This Convention (negotiated under the auspices of the Council of Europe) will help to ensure an acceptable level of animal welfare protection throughout Europe.