| Author (Person) | Cronin, David |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.11, 25.3.04 |
| Publication Date | 25/03/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 25/03/04 By David Cronin LAMBS which are only one week old could be transported over long distances under a draft law due to be considered by EU agriculture ministers next month. The draft would also allow for the transport of piglets provided they are more than three weeks old and calves that are older than 14 days. Ireland's EU presidency is determined to have a deal on animal transport rules agreed by farm ministers at their next meeting in Luxembourg (26-27 April). In a compromise proposal tabled by Dublin, seen by European Voice, an initial journey-time limit for live transports by road of nine hours is suggested. However, transporters would then be able to continue their journeys, if they rest the animals for two hours. After a second period of nine hours' driving, the mandatory resting time would be extended to 12 hours. The Irish have said that satellite navigation should be used to detect drivers who flout the legislation. From 2012, it would be obligatory that all such tracking be done by the EU's €3.2 billion Galileo network. The proposals look set to be sharply criticized by anti-cruelty campaigners, who are advocating an overall limit on journey times, with no possibility of extending it. The European Parliament's agriculture committee has backed the main thrust of that call. Earlier this month it adopted a report urging that when animals are being transported by road for slaughter on a distance of more than 100km, the entire duration of the journey should not exceed nine hours. This report is due to be debated before the whole assembly in Strasbourg next week. Sonja van Tichelen, director of the Eurogroup for Animal Welfare, voiced alarm over signals that the Irish presidency may not be taking on board MEPs' concerns. European Agriculture Ministers will consider a draft law in April 2004 that would mean lambs of just one week old could be transported over long distances. |
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