Question for written answer E-011385/2015 to the Commission
Rule 130
Julie Girling (ECR)
Subject: Equine transport
Equidae are recognised as being particularly vulnerable to welfare problems during transport. Immunosuppression has been noted in horses transported for more than 12 hours, increasing the risk that these animals will develop signs of acute respiratory disease. In addition, the stress of transport may cause latently infected animals to proceed to clinical disease, causing welfare problems and posing a risk to the EU’s EUR 100 billion equine sector.
In recognition of this, the European Food Safety Authority recommended a maximum journey limit of 12 hours ‘when untrained horses of uncertain health status are transported for slaughter’ in its 2011 Scientific Opinion on the Welfare of Animals during Transport. What action does the Commission plan to take with regard to this scientifically supported recommendation?
EN
E-011385/2015
Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission
The Commission considered the recommendations of the EFSA Scientific Opinion on the welfare of animals during transport[1], including the one on maximum journey times for horses, in the preparation of its Report[2] on the impact of Council Regulation 1/2005.
The Report concluded that enforcement of current rules was a major challenge and that a steady legal situation would allow Member States and stakeholders to tackle this. The Commission has therefore been focusing its efforts on ways to assist Member States in compliance with existing rules. Furthermore, the Report concluded that the gap between the requirements of the legislation and available scientific advice is best addressed by the adoption of guides to good practices. Therefore the Commission mandated a 3 year pilot project, started in May 2015, to develop best practices for animal transport for the main species, including horses. The pilot project aims to work closely with transport stakeholders to build on existing guides to best practice on the transportation of animals, address any gaps and develop a communication and dissemination strategy across Member States.
[1] EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW); Scientific Opinion concerning the welfare of animals during transport. EFSA Journal 2011;9(1):1966.[125 pp.].doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2011.1966. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/efsajournal.htm
[2] Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the impact of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. COM(2011) 700 final.
