Document type: news item from Eurogroup for animals
Author: Animal Protection Denmark
Preview: A new addition to the Danish order on the protection of animals during transport sets minimum requirements for the ceiling height during the transport of piglets, which must ensure air circulation and sufficient space for the animals. Since 2006, there have been requirements for the ceiling height for larger pigs, but the same protections have not applied to piglets until now. Piglets are currently transported on five-floor trucks without any requirements as to how much space there must be above the animals. The move is being celebrated by Animal Protection Denmark, who have long campaigned for the update. For the transport of pigs with an average weight of 35 kilos, the new rules require a ceiling height of at least 68 centimetres, which gives approximately 19 centimetres of air above the pig's back. The new standards will affect a huge number of animals, as Denmark exports around 14 million piglets annually. The change will be mandated from 2031, in order to allow transporters a transition period to adapt their vehicle fleets. Animal Protection Denmark would like to see tighter transport regulations come into force at EU level, including a ceiling on transport time of 8 hours. The European Commission has the opportunity to make it happen with the Transport Regulation revision. However, the current proposal is too weak, leaving millions of animals unprotected.
