Document type: Answer from the European Commission to Question E-002548/23
Authors: question: Niels Fuglsang (S&D). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
Question: Distinction between slaughter animals and breeding animals in connection with animal welfare during transport
The Commission has announced that in autumn 2023 it will be putting forward a revision of existing animal welfare legislation, including Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97.
When discussing animal transport rules, some make a distinction between: (1) animals transported for slaughter and (2) animals transported for purposes other than slaughter (breeding animals).
In the light of this:
- on the basis of available animal welfare research, does it make sense to distinguish between slaughter and non-slaughter animals when it comes to animal transport?
- If so, what are the arguments in favor of that distinction?
Answer: The distinction mentioned in the question of the Honourable Member is often brought forward in the discussion on transport of animals. Such differentiation appears as a consequence of approaches to risk management of two divergent situations.
In the case of transport of animals for breeding, in the vast majority of cases, there is no obvious alternative to transporting animals from the place of origin to the place of destination.
The transport of breeding animals is crucial for the proper functioning of the agrifood sector and chain. As a consequence, stricter measures are being considered to reduce animal welfare risks on potentially long journeys, such as adequate watering, feeding, resting periods, transporting in approved vehicles which should fulfil additional requirements for long journeys, etc.
In the case of transport of animals intended for slaughter, it is possible to slaughter animals closer to their place of origin, requiring shorter journeys of transports of live animals.
The transport of carcasses would limit the potential animal welfare risks during transport, be more sustainable, and reduce economic losses caused by injuries.
