EC On-Line Consultation on Animal Transportation Supports Welfare Improvements

Results of EC consultations on the transportation of animals announced last Monday clearly call for improved welfare conditions for all animals on their final journey to the slaughterhouse.

In his address to the EC Agricultural Council on 16 December Commissioner David Byrne said that the messages coming across from their consultations with major
organisations and the public, via the EC website, were that "maintaining the status quo was not acceptable and that weaknesses in the current legislation must be
addressed".

Over 4,000 people responded to the on-line consultation and the vast majority demanded better regulation on space allowances and on the standards of transportation. At the same time, stricter conditions for the approval of transporters were called for - as well as a harmonised licensing system for drivers.

Comments Keith Meldrum, ILPH (International League for the Protection of Horses) Adviser on European Affairs, "It is indeed very encouraging that so many EU citizens positively responded to the Commission's obvious desire to improve animal welfare conditions during their transport to slaughter.

"We fully endorse Commissioner Byrne when he says, "Legislation, on its own, is largely meaningless if the time, effort and resources are not invested in its implementation."

Continues Keith Meldrum, "We look forward to seeing the draft proposal when it is published in the Spring."

www.ilph.org

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