Document type Written answer from the European Commission
Authors: question : Rosa D'Amato (Greens/EFA), Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA), Saskia Bricmont (Greens/EFA), Sylwia Spurek (Greens/EFA), Ska Keller (Greens/EFA), Piernicola Pedicini (Greens/EFA) Sarah Wiener (Greens/EFA), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA), David Cormand (Greens/EFA), Eleonora Evi (Greens/EFA), Ignazio Corrao (Greens/EFA) Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA), Manuela Ripa (Greens/EFA), Malte Gallée (Greens/EFA), Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA), Grace O'Sullivan (Greens/EFA) Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Greens/EFA), Michèle Rivasi (Greens/EFA), Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA), Bronis Ropė (Greens/EFA), Damien Carême (Greens/EFA), Anja Hazekamp (The Left) Answer given by Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
In 2011, the European Commission reported that the lack of detailed rules on fish transport in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (Animal Transport Regulation) has created difficulties for aquaculture operators in the implementation of the regulation, leading to differing interpretations of the rules and market distortions[1].
The European Parliament’s report on the Farm to Fork strategy calls for better welfare methods during fish transport[2]. Following its inquiry on animal transport, the European Parliament has recommended the establishment of provisions to properly protect fish during transport[3].
In support of the ongoing review of the Animal Transport Regulation, the Commission has mandated the European Food Safety Authority to gather the latest knowledge on the transport of several terrestrial species[4].
What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that new animal transport provisions incorporate the latest science on live fish transport?
Answer: The current Animal Transport Regulation[1] includes general provisions to ensure principles, which are already applicable for the protection of fish during transport.
The Commission committed under the Farm to Fork Strategy to revise, by 2023, the EU animal welfare legislation.
An Inception Impact Assessment roadmap[2] has been published and an open public consultation was conducted to prepare this legislative revision.
Based on the recommendations adopted by the European Parliament for the protection of animals during transport, the results of the public consultation and the ongoing impact assessment, the Commission will consider introducing additional provisions related to fish, which may, among other, include empowerments for future delegated acts to be developed based on scientific opinions, once available.
To this end, the Commission will mandate the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) to gather knowledge on fish welfare during transport and scientific evidence to support such provisions.
In light of the knowledge provided by EFSA the Commission will be then in a position to develop more specific requirements for live fish transport.
