The EU Commission should impose penalties on member states failing to apply EU rules on live exports correctly, MEPs say.

EU states should prosecute breaches with effective penalties, including confiscating vehicles and compulsory retraining for staff.

Resolution

In a resolution, adopted by 411 votes in favour to 43 against with 110 abstentions, MEPs renewed parliament’s 2012 call for a strong and uniform enforcement of the 2005 EU law on protecting transported animals.

The resolution calls for:

  • More unannounced and risk-based checks and tougher penalties for offenders.
  • Minimise transport time and transport carcasses rather than live animals.
  • Better enforcement of existing rules, with the help of new technology.
  • MEPs also want a science-based update of EU rules on transport vehicles

    MEPs also want to deploy modern technology to improve enforcement of current rules, including geolocation systems to track animals’ location and the duration of journeys, and a real-time feedback loop between points of departure and arrival.

    They pushed for a new 2020-2024 animal welfare strategy and a clear definition of what constitutes fitness for transport.

    Parliament calls on national authorities to:

  • Carry out more unannounced and risk-based checks.
  • Inform authorities in all countries along the transport route if a breach is identified.
  • Suspend or withdraw transporter’s license for repeat offenders.
  • Ban non-compliant vehicles and vessels.
  • Adapt ports to animal-welfare requirements and improve pre-loading checks.
  • Transport

    MEPs also want a science-based update of EU rules on transport vehicles to ensure sufficient ventilation and temperature control, appropriate drinking and liquid feed systems, reduced stocking densities and vehicles adapted to the needs of each species.

    They also want the Commission to specify appropriate journey times for different species.

    “Actors in the transport chain need to live up to their obligations, whether they are farmers, traders of animals, veterinarians, or transport companies,” said rapporteur Jorn Dohrmann.

    The resolution recommends setting up an inquiry committee on the welfare of animals transported within and outside the EU at the beginning of the next parliamentary term.

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