Commission proposal for animal transportation based on scientific advice
The European Commission has introduced science-based standards for the live transportation of horses, cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. The standards relate to ventilation, temperature and humidity control in lorries carrying livestock on journeys longer than eight hours. The new rules are based on scientific advice from the Scientific Committee for animal health and animal welfare, and on a Commission report from last year identifying health and welfare problems during long distance transport. Scientists have also recommended that vehicles have a monitoring and warning system recording humidity and temperature, thus enabling remedial action when necessary. 'I am pleased that we are now moving forward to make concrete improvements in the health and welfare of animals transported over long distances,' said Davis Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. 'Long-distance transport [...] must take place under conditions that do not endanger the animals or cause unnecessary suffering. I want it to be absolutely clear that we are taking the problems identified with animal transport very seriously, and that we will do everything that is within our competence to address them. Today's proposal is one more step in that direction.'