WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2864/97 by David HALLAM to the Commission. Live transportation of poultry
Date: 1997-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, HALLAM
Subjects: animal nutrition, animal welfare, health certificate, live animal, poultry, protection of animals, transport of animals, veterinary inspection

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/85

Concerning the active substance lindane, which is one of the 90 substances covered under the first phase, the
Commission can confirm that it is waiting for the report of the rapporteur Member State, Austria, which should
be  available  in  the  middle  of  1998.  When  the  Commission  receives  this  report  an  intensive  scientific  and
technical examination with all the Member States will take place. The Commission will only be able to take a
final position on this active substance when the examination has been completed.

(1)  OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(98/C 117/105)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2864/97

by David Hallam (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 1997)

Subject: Live transportation of poultry

Has the Commission considered that Article 39 3 A of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals
during Transport (19 December 1968) is unreasonable in setting a 12 hour limit for the transportation of live
animals, given that chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys do not eat or drink while roosting?

Will the Commission consider that, given that in the Scottish Highlands and Islands birds will roost for up to
18 hours  of  winter  darkness  without  food  and  water,  and  that  birds  sitting  on  eggs  may  go  for  much  longer
periods without sustenance, birds transported in a darkened space for over 12 hours will not be harmed?

Will the Commission consider changing present legislative provision in this area, which uses the 12 hour limit set
by the abovementioned European Convention?

What steps has the Commission taken or does it plan to take, in order to consult recognized NGOs when deciding
policy in this area?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1997)

Article 39(3)(a) of the European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport does not
limit the transport of poultry to 12 hours. It requires suitable food and, if necessary, water to be available during
transport in adequate quantities, except in the case of a journey lasting less than 12 hours. The Commission has
no  grounds  for  considering  this  to  be  unreasonable,  and  has  no  plans  to  amend  the  provisions  of  Council
Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directive 90/425/EEC and
91/496/EEC (1)  based  on  the  Convention.  The  Commission  has  no  information  to  indicate  that  poultry
metabolism during transport is the same as that during roosting or brooding.

It  should  be  noted  that,  in  accordance  with  Article  16  of  Directive  91/628/EEC,  as  amended  by  Directive
95/29/EC, Member States may derogate from the provisions of the Directive to take account of the remoteness of
certain parts of their territories.

The Commission regularly consults non governmental organisations on policy in the area of animal welfare, in
particular the European umbrella organisation for animal welfare groups, Eurogroup for Animal Welfare.

(1)  OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC, (OJ L 148, 30.6.1995).