Irish MEPs, Barry Cowen and Ciaran Mullooly, intend to “put forward amendments” to proposed new legislation on the protection of animals during transport, they confirmed today (Thursday, December 12).
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) today presented its proposal on the protection of animals during transport to a meeting of the European Parliament’s joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism in Brussels.
In his presentation Bernard Van Goethem from DG SANTE told MEPs that the “specific objectives” of the proposed legislation included:
- Wider digitalisation and improved traceability;
- More operational controls for exports;
- Limited journey times and reduction of the number of loading and unloading during a single journey;
- Increased space allowance.
He also shared with the joint committee how the space allowance was calculated and what this would mean in the future for animal transportation.
The director of DG Sante also highlighted in his presentation that the proposal on the protection of animals during transport would limit the time animals could spend in “transportation” particularly in relation to un-weaned animals – who under the proposal must have “milk feeding during long journeys”.
Both the Independent Ireland MEP, Ciaran Mullooly, and the Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Cowen, voiced concerns about the impact of some of the proposals on Ireland at the joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism in Brussels today.
They have also both confirmed that they plan to put forward amendments to the proposals because of the impact they may have on Ireland’s agricultural sector.
Animal transport
Mullooly highlighted that Ireland’s geographical position as the furthest country from mainland Europe presents additional challenges for animal transport.
He added: “Irish farmers have always had the welfare of their animals as a priority. We meet and exceed the stringent EU welfare regulations in force, and if we didn’t do this, it is very simple – our live export business would be out of business.”
“It is essential that we have proper access to internal EU markets.
“Our animals are in high demand in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and more recently Croatia. This trade is very important to maintain competition in the sector.”
Meanwhile Cowen also stressed that “securing a derogation for sea journeys” will be vital for Ireland.
“We need to ensure that animal welfare concerns are balanced with the practical realities of those sectors impacted.
“Any proposed regulatory changes need to be both feasible and effective in promoting the well-being of animals.
“But they also need to consider the economic sustainability of the sectors that are impacted particular in our own case; Ireland’s cattle industry and the equine sport and breeding industry,” Cowen warned.
He believes that many of the proposed changes “would put these sectors in danger of extinction”.
Cowen also highlighted that in 2022 live exports “were worth €230 million” to Ireland.