My Department is acutely conscious of the need and works diligently to ensure the welfare of animals in transit and is satisfied that the systems in place in respect of the intra-community movement of these animals are fully supportive of the welfare of the animals and in compliance with the relevant legislation. The care of calves is a priority of mine.
My Department has put a significant suite of additional measures in place over past two years to better support the welfare of calves and other animals during transport. These include requiring an increased space allowance per calf on the transport vehicles over and above the legislative requirement, as well as requiring an additional hours resting time for calves at the control posts in Cherbourg.
Other measures include an enhanced control post booking system which has proved highly effective in ensuring adequate control post spaces in Cherbourg. There is also enhanced co-operation with the French authorities both centrally in Paris and locally in Cherbourg. Since January 2020, the details of all calf consignments travelling on the ferries (transporter, number of calves, unique lairage booking number and ultimate destination) are shared with the French authorities a day in advance of sailings. to enable them undertake controls as they determine necessary.
In the context of further supporting the welfare of animals in transit, the Department has supported further research by Teagasc. One such project is focused on the welfare of calves during transport, including the efficacy of the provision of water and feed.
A further study between Teagasc and my Department is researching indicators of welfare and stress in calves on the journey to continental Europe, from beginning to end. This study will collect a body of scientific evidence on what further interventions might best enhance the welfare of the calves being exported.
The 'Moove' study has been specifically designed to generate vital baseline data, on which best-practice recommendations in support of optimal calf welfare and environmentally sustainable transport of calves to EU destinations can be based.
‘Moove’, will address the current knowledge gaps and, based on the evidence, achieve global leadership in improving the welfare of calves undergoing transport. All methods of transport, including air transport, will be studied to see if they present opportunities to improve calf welfare.
The Project will assess the existing welfare status of calves before, during and post-transport from Ireland to destination farms within the EU, in the interest of ensuring optimal welfare of calves being traded within the Community.
