WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/00 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Transportation of live animals.
Date: 2000-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, animal welfare, application of EU law, national implementing measure, protection of animals, transport of animals, transport regulations

C 81 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

(2001/C 81 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Transportation of live animals

Would the Commission state whether it is concerned at mounting numbers of reports that the provisions
in EU legislation to protect animals during transport are being flouted, and outline what steps it intends to
take to improve the situation?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2000)

Member States are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of Community legislation in this area.
Commission experts, however, carry out periodic on-the-spot checks to encourage uniform application of
the relevant legislation and adequate action by Member States to ensure compliance with the rules
concerned.

A working group of the standing veterinary committee was set up in 1999 and it is currently examining
various problems concerning the enforcement of Community legislation in respect of animal 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 Directive 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC (1), the Commission will
as soon as possible submit a report to the Council on the experience acquired by Member States in relation
to the application of Community legislation in this field. The report will also be presented to 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 conclusions above-mentioned have
identified several areas of difficulty in relation to enforcement. Practical solutions for these problems are
currently being examined.

The Commission will in the near future submit proposals to address these difficulties. In particular it will
propose higher standards for the protection of horses transported for slaughter and measures designed to
facilitate co-ordination and mutual assistance between Member States in relation to implementation and
enforcement of the relevant rules. For example, adoption of a harmonized model for the approval and
certification of transporters will be considered.

The Commission is also considering legislation concerning the ventilation of vehicles used for long-
distance transport
temperature inside the
compartments in which the animals are carried.

including systems for the monitoring and registration of

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 has been 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. Based on the outcome of those discussions 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), when ratified and
enforced by the contracting parties, will help to ensure an acceptable level of animal welfare protection
throughout Europe.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.