UECBV supports the EU Commission in asking for better enforcement of EU animal welfare rules during transport
19 July 2019
At the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting this week, the European Commission services drew the attention of the EU Member States on the need to avoid unnecessary animal suffering during animal transport exports during summer months. UECBV agrees and strongly supports a better enforcement of the legislation already existing.

UECBV and its members believe in and work on the constant improvement of animal welfare practices. UECBV has been engaged in pushing for a better enforcement of the existing legislation since even before its implementation in 2005.

For that reason, UECBV is in constant dialogue and cooperation with other stakeholders, civil society and Member States to develop support material, best-practices and initiatives to better animal welfare. UECBV reminds operators to follow the guides co-created by UECBV on: 1) assessing fitness for transport of cattle; 2) best-practices for transport of cattle. Also, through the EU Animal Welfare Platform, and together with other partners, UEBCV is working on the production of further guidelines and factsheets, and other initiatives, to improve the organisation of these transports.

The livestock and meat trade has made significant progress, as animals are the core of our activity, and that means constantly challenging ourselves to find ways to drive common change for the better. Therefore, UECBV and its members will continue to work to guarantee that animals are transported, not only in compliance with EU regulation, but following best-practices. Animals should not endure unnecessary suffering and for that Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, on the protection of animals during transport, must be complied with in all EU Member States and by all operators. When not complied with, there should be appropriate penalties.

UECBV reminds that the transport of live animals due to structural, social and economic reasons cannot simply be stopped and/or replaced by transport of meat. If EU exports of live animals, and the high standards of animal welfare in place in the EU, are not possible, then they will be replaced by other suppliers of live animals.

Therefore, UECBV fully agrees and emphasises the Commission's and Council's reminders to enforce existing regulations and monitor important criteria, such as stocking density, when organising such a trip, in order to guarantee the welfare of animals. UECBV will continue to focus on the implementation and monitoring of animal welfare rules, and work together with authorities and stakeholders to avoid any unnecessary animal suffering during transport.

UECBV insists on its specific efforts for this main issue for producing under natural conditions a pure product in a respectful process.

ENDS

For the press release in pdf: Click HERE
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For further information:
Karsten Maier, Secretary General, Tel: + 32 2 230 46 03
E-mail: info@uecbv.eu

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