Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
26 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on a recent vote in the European Parliament to impose more stringent controls on live exports in the EU; his further views on whether the decision to impose a 12-hour rest period for every nine hours of travel will help reduce injuries and illness in the trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14737/04]
View answerProposals on the transport of live animals in the European Union are initiated by the EU Commission and require agreement among member states at the Council of Ministers, following an opinion from the European Parliament, under the co-operation procedure. The opinion of the EU Parliament under this procedure is not binding.
In March 2004, the European Parliament, in its opinion on a draft Council regulation on the welfare of animals during transport, voted, inter alia, for a maximum journey limit of nine hours for the transport of slaughter animals. Many member states, including Ireland, opposed this proposal, not least because of the lack of any scientific basis for differentiating between conditions for slaughter animals and other animals. In the circumstances there was no prospect of reaching agreement on this proposal.
At the Council of Ministers' meeting on 27 April 2004, the Irish Presidency presented, with the assistance of the EU Commission and Council Secretariat, a compromise proposal which would have resulted in improved standards of animal welfare while allowing the continuation of a critically important and legitimate trade. This proposal included adjustments to journey time sequences, improved training and enforcement, the use of satellite tracking systems, and unloading animals at staging posts during rest periods. I am satisfied these changes would have resulted in a significant improvement in welfare conditions for animals being transported over long distances.
However, despite prolonged and intense efforts by the Irish Presidency to broker a solution, the Council of Ministers failed to reach agreement on this document, as a result of polarised opinions on a number of fundamental issues. The Irish Presidency, in conjunction with the EU Commission, is at present reviewing the situation. In the meantime I remain committed to ensuring the welfare of animals is safeguarded during transport and the current controls continue to be rigorously enforced.
