Ireland joins 7 EU member states in defending animal transport

Lithuania

Portugal

Published Jan 25, 2023

Tridge summary

Ireland has joined with seven other EU countries to affirm support for the continuation of live animal transport and live exports within and outside the EU. In the run-up to a Council of the EU meeting of agriculture ministers next Monday (January 30), the delegation from Portugal has prepared a document defending animal transport, which it will present to the meeting on behalf of itself as well as Ireland; France; Greece; Latvia; Lithuania; Romania; and Spain.

Original content

Live animal transport has come in for intense scrutiny in the EU in recent years, with a number of members states and political groupings calling for tighter regulations and for limiting distances and even destinations to which animals can be transported. The EU’s current legislation on animal transport is in the process of being reviewed. In the new document, the eight member states say: “Animal transport is a critical activity in animal production systems in Europe and, worldwide, [is] necessary for the smooth functioning of the animal production sectors.” They also said that animal transport is an activity that demands high standards and attentive oversight. Advertisement The document points out that an earlier review of the current legislation, carried out by the European Commission, found that the present rules on transport had improved the welfare of animals, compared to pre-2005 when the legislation was implemented. “This acknowledged progress recognises that the current ...

Source: AgriLand