Document type : Answer from the European Commission to the European Parliament
Question: In 2015, almost 1.4 billion live animals were transported within the EU, and 238 million were transported to third countries across the EU’s external border. Not all of these animals are slaughtered; some are transported to fattening farms as young animals that have not yet been weaned.
For these animals in particular the journey is an ordeal, particularly as they may be moved when temperatures are very low or very high. In addition, these young animals need a special diet, as they are not yet able to digest solid food and drink cold water.
During transport, breaks must be taken every eight hours, but there is no limit on the overall duration of the journey. Accidents often occur, in particular during transport by ship, leading to the deaths of thousands of animals.
Animals too deserve dignified treatment.
Does it intend to propose an absolute limit on the duration of live animal transport?
Is it planning to ban shipments of live animals to third countries whose animal welfare laws are not consistent with the values of the EU Member States?
Answer: As the Commission pointed out in its reply to Written Question E-007197/2017, animal welfare during transport is a complex multidimensional issue, which cannot be solved by simply banning it or by imposing a limit on transport time. ‘Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005) includes detailed conditions which, if implemented, minimise the risks related to journeys longer than eight hours. These rules take into consideration the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority that under good transport conditions the welfare of animals depends on driving quality more than on transport time.
As indicated in its reply to written questions E-002302/2019 and P-002548/2019, the Commission ‘cannot impose a general ban on export of live animals to non-EU countries on the basis of animal welfare violations in the third country’.
As the Commission pointed out in its replies to written questions P-004562/2018 and E-005366/2018, ‘the setting of animal welfare rules in non-EU countries and their enforcement is under the competence of the respective national competent authorities. An export ban on live animal transports to non-EU countries would also need very careful examination under World Trade Organisation rules, which are binding upon the Union and its Member States’. The Commission recalls that Member States should strictly adhere to Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 and other EU legislation on animal welfare. The Commission will continue to monitor their implementation.
