Document type : Written answer from the European Commission
Authors: Question: Emma Wiesner (Renew). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
Question: Animal transport in the Suez Canal
Recently reports have been coming in thick and fast of live animals being transported in appalling conditions on a regular basis to or from the EU. It is clear that no account is being taken of animal welfare and that relevant EU legislation is being ignored.
Some 16 vessels with live animals on board were stuck in the recent logjam in the Suez Canal, 11 of which departed from the EU, meaning that they were subject to EU legislation. It is clear from all these cases that the vessels in question have none of the emergency-preparedness procedures in place as required under EU legislation. What is more, the temperature on the ships concerned was above 60°C, which is in itself a breach of the legislation.
The logjam in the Suez Canal was a disaster for world trade, but it is also a disaster for the 200 000 animals who are now at risk of starvation during their journey in sweltering heat. This is uother small companion animalsceptable.
Romania, the EU Member State from which the vessels departed, has failed to comply with EU law. Something must be done about this.
- Is the Commission going to insist that Romania take responsibility for these proven cases involving animal transport?
- Is the Commission going to insist on full transparency from Romania in its actions?
- Is the Commission going to take Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union if the country is shown to have breached EU animal welfare legislation?
Answer: When it appeared that the blockage of the Suez Canal might last, the Commission contacted the authorities of Member States that had approved journeys for vessels passing the Suez Canal. The Commission asked Member States to suspend any export with livestock vessels having destinations through the Suez Canal until it would become functional again. T he local competent authority gave assurances it would give first priority to livestock vessels once the canal reopened.
At the time of the blockage, there were 16 livestock vessels at sea on their way to the canal with around 175,000 sheep and over 1,600 cattle. From them, eleven vessels departed from Romania with 94,707 sheep and 1,613 cattle on board.
In accordance with the EU legislation on animal transport(1), livestock vessels are required to carry sufficient feed and water to cover the minimum daily feed and water supply for the intended journey, plus an additional supply of feed and water. They are also required to have appropriate equipment to provide fresh water.
The Romanian authorities responded swiftly and declared that they were in regular contact with the transporters concerned to monitor the situation. After the canal reopened, the Romanian authorities informed the Commission that the animals arrived at destination without additional problems.
Therefore, in relation to the blockage of the Suez Canal, it does not appear so far that the Romanian authorities failed to implement the EU legislation on animal transport.
