Document type: Answer from the European Commission to Question E-001917/2025
Authors: question : Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission
Preview: Question: On 25 February 2025, the Government of the Netherlands notified the Commission of an amendment to its policy guideline on animal transport at high temperatures (notification number 2025/0111/NL). The policy amendment lowers the maximum temperature at which animals may be transported to 30 degrees Celsius. In accordance with the notification procedure under Directive (EU) 2015/1535, the Commission may block this policy rule for a period of 12 to 18 months if harmonisation at EU level in the area concerned is planned or already under way. As the Animal Transport Regulation is currently being revised (2023/0448/COD), that is indeed the case.
1. Does the Commission intend to block the policy rule that has been notified on the ground that revision of the Animal Transport Regulation means that EU harmonisation in the same area is already under way?
2. Does the Commission agree that as a result of this policy amendment, were it to come into force, there would be significant distortion of the EU internal market?
3. Is the Commission prepared to respond to the submissions made by various stakeholders in connection with the notification?
Answer: 1. The issue of high temperatures is being discussed in the ongoing inter-institutional negotiations on the legislative proposal on the protection of animals during transport [1]. The Commission sent a letter to the Member States urging them to stress their concerns at the Council rather than focusing on national measures, asking them to refrain from adopting national measures in the area of animal transport.
2. The Commission agrees that diverging national rules do not ensure a smooth functioning of the internal market. The adoption of national rules while inter-institutional negotiations on the Commission's proposal for new legislation on this subject are ongoing can have potentially negative impact for the level playing field of operators. One of the objectives of the legislative proposal is to ensure a clearer legal framework and one that avoids the need for diverging national rules.
3. According to the provisions of Directive (EU) 2015/1535 [2] , it is at the discretion of the Commission and the Member States to issue a reaction on draft technical regulations notified by a Member State. The Commission takes note of the contributions made by several stakeholders regarding this notification.
[1] Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, COM/2023/770 final.
[2] Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services (codification), OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, p. 1-15.
From the European Parliament website
