WRITTEN QUESTION E-1289/01

by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Transport of live animals live animal transport ban

In 1992, the Commission's Scientific Veterinary Committee (SVC) stressed that live transport should be avoided whenever possible. Despite this, huge numbers of animals are transported across Europe on extremely long journeys during which they often suffer greatly. Much of this suffering could be avoided if animals were slaughtered as near as possible to the farm of rearing and meat transported instead. Would the Commission propose an end to the live transport of animals over long distances in favour of a more regionalised meat trade? If not, what reasonable justifications can you give for not doing so?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1289/01 and E-1291/01 given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2001)

The necessity to limit the long distance transport of animals to absolutely essential journeys and to keep any suffering to a minimum are especially important objectives for the Commission.

The Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Belgium, Greece and Spain in relation to their failure to implement Community legislation in this field. The opening of infringement proceedings against other Member States in relation to animal transport is also under consideration.

At the Agriculture Council meeting of January 2001 the Commission presented a report on the experience acquired by Member States since the implementation 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(1) as amended(2). This report has also been submitted to the Parliament. The Commission report concludes that Member States have had clear difficulties in fully applying Community legislation in this field. The report also suggests that measures to encourage the slaughter of animals closer to the places where they are raised also merits examination.

The Commission believes that stricter rules are essential to improve the current situation and has already taken initiatives in this direction.

To prevent the transport of injured or sick animals, the Commission adopted Decision 2001/298/EC of 30 March 2001 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 64/432/EEC, 90/426/EEC, 91/68/EEC and 92/65/EEC and to Commission Decision 94/273/EC as regards the protection of animals during transport(3) to amend veterinary certificates for intra-Community trade of livestock in order to refer to the fitness of the animals to be transported. This measure will enter into force from 1 August 2001.

To improve the standards of the vehicles, the Commission adopted on 9 April 2001 a proposal for a Council Regulation concerning ventilation systems of road vehicles used for journeys exceeding eight hours(4), including requirements for a minimum ventilation rate and mandatory systems for monitoring the temperature inside the lorries.

An additional proposal amending Council Directive 91/628/EEC, will also be presented with the aim of improving the situation, in particular regarding the level of enforcement.

Furthermore, following the outcome of a new opinion of the Scientific Committee on Animal Welfare, expected for the end of 2001, a redefinition of travelling times and loading densities may be proposed, taking into account new scientific evidence.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

(2) COM(2000) 809 final.

(3) OJ L 102, 12.4.2001.

(4) COM(2001) 197 final.