Context
In 2023, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation on the protection of animals during transport, intended to replace Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005. This new text proposes regulatory transport conditions based on the recommendations of the EFSA opinion on the welfare of cattle during transport, particularly that of calves (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2022). The new proposed regulation would raise the minimum age allowed for the transport of calves to 5 weeks, whereas the current minimum age ranges from 10 days (for journeys over 100 km) to 14 days (for journeys lasting more than 8 hours).
To support its arguments during European discussions, the BBEA the DGAL referred the matter to the FRCAW address the following question: “What are the consequences of transporting calves younger than 5 weeks on their welfare? ” " The FRCAW report FRCAW the key points of the EFSA opinion, supplemented by a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature not cited in the EFSA opinion, particularly where the publication date of the articles was after 2022.
