B3-0672, 0674 and 0679/93

Resolution on the failure to implement Community legislation on the protection of animals

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its opinion of 6 April 1990 on the proposal for a regulation on protection of animals during transport,

-having regard to Council Directive 91/628/EEC,

A.whereas Article 13 of Directive 91/628/EEC states that the Commission shall submit a report drawn up on the basis of an opinion from the Scientific Veterinary Committee, possibly accompanied by proposals on journey time, feeding and watering intervals, rest periods, stocking densities and vehicle standards,

B.whereas that report from the Scientific Veterinary Committee was made available on 13 November 1992,

C.whereas the Commission has not yet produced specific proposals as provided for under Directive 91/628/EEC,

D.whereas this failure to act has led to legal confusion and deteriorating animal welfare standards,

E.whereas the principle of subsidiarity means that certain matters are properly dealt with at Community level, and this must include the transport of animals,

F.whereas the Council of Europe has done valuable work within the framework of the Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport,

1.Points out that, without specific proposals, Directive 91/628/EEC cannot be applied correctly in the Community;

2.Stresses that the responsibility for this failure to act must lie with the Commission;

3.Calls on the Commission to produce the required proposals forthwith and not to abdicate its responsibility, although the Council of Europe's work on transport should be taken into account;

4.Deplores the fact that its own amendment limiting journeys of animals for slaughter to a maximum of eight hours has still not been adopted and urges the Commission to adopt this proposal;

5.Points out that limiting long-distance transport of animals will significantly reduce the risk of economically damaging diseases such as foot and mouth and swine vesicular diseases from spreading throughout the Community;

6.Condemns the fact that the Commission has so far failed to act on scientific evidence on the different needs of the various farm animal species for water, food and rest during transport;

7.Regrets that the Commission has also failed to act on the obvious need to introduce Community rules for stocking densities and vehicle standards which has led to confusion amongst transporters, and welfare problems for the animals;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States.