91997E2559

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2559/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (24 July 1997)

Subject: Transport of live animals

The Commission has proposed a new directive specifying technical requirements for vehicles used for transporting live animals. Improving animal welfare conditions is purported to be one of the main aims of this directive.

On what basis does the Commission believe that this new directive would improve animal welfare standards? Can it give details of what advice it obtained from veterinary and animal welfare experts in drafting this directive?

Has the Commission considered ending EU subsidies to the live export trade as a means of discouraging the cruelty to animals which it involves? Has it considered any policy proposals to boost employment in the meat processing industry by requiring that animals be slaughtered closed to where they are raised before their meat is exported?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1997)

The Commission proposal of standards for vehicles used for transporting animals more than eight hours has been based on Article 13 of Directive 91/628/EEC ((OJ L 340, 11.12.1991. )), amended by Directive 95/29/EC ((OJ L 148, 30. 6.1995. )), on the protection of animals during transport.

Directive 95/29/EC was a political compromise reached after long and difficult discussions. This Directive laid down the basic elements for the standards for vehicles in Chapter VII, point 3 of the Annex, taking into consideration all the available scientific information. From this information it is well known that especially the ventilation and the regular or continious water supply to the animals, depending on species and age, are very important for the welfare of the animals.

The Commission has examined the possibilities of withdrawing export refunds from exporters where it is shown that they have not fully respected the rules on the welfare of animals during transport to their final destination. The Commission recently presented a proposal to the Council under which the payment of export refunds would be subject to compliance with the provisions on the protection of animals during transport.

The Commission has not considered making policy proposals to boost employment in the meat processing industry by requiring the animals to be slaughtered close to the place of raising.