B4-0167 and B4-0168/94

Resolution on the protection of animals in transport

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the Commission's statement on the transport of live animals,

-having regard to its opinion of 15 December 1993 on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 91/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport and its resolution of 15 December 1993 on the protection of animals,

A.whereas, despite the new Commission proposal (COM(94)0252), the Council has still not managed to amend Directive 91/628/EEC,

B.whereas the European Parliament has proposed the adoption of very detailed Community rules on maximum transport duration and the provision of food and water,

C.whereas the suffering caused to both imported and exported animals, in particular slaughter cattle, during transport within the Community must be stopped immediately, even if such infringements of existing legislation are only committed by a minority of animal transporters,

D.whereas the Commission proposal (COM(94)0315) amending Council Directive 64/433/EEC could pave the way for the establishment of a sufficiently dense network of abattoirs to reduce the transport of animals for slaughter to a strict minimum,

E.aware that responsible transport companies and their organizations are concerned about those operations which do not respect proper animal welfare conditions,

F.aware that the main cross-Channel ferry companies have announced their intention of stopping the transport of live animals,

G.noting that hardship will result to cattle and sheep farmers in the United Kingdom and Ireland because they will no longer be able to ship live animals to their important continental markets,

1.Calls on the Council to take a decision forthwith on the Commission's proposals for improving the protection of animals during transport, while taking full account of Parliament's amendments, and to make the granting of refunds for exports of live animals dependent on strict compliance with animal welfare;

2.Calls on the Commission to submit to Parliament and the Council proposals aimed at further reducing, or stopping, exports of live animals for slaughter, including measures granting preferential treatment even within the Community to shipments of meat rather than of live animals;

3.Calls on the Commission to inform it of the way in which Member States are implementing and enforcing directives on animal welfare;

4.Calls for the staff of veterinary inspectorates to be increased so that they can ensure that Community legislation is being properly applied in all Member States;

5.Notes the statements by the Commission and calls on it to make an additional effort to achieve a fair compromise solution;

6.Calls on the Commission to take action, in cooperation with the authorities of the Member States, against transporters who cause unnecessary suffering to live animals in transit;

7.Urges the Commission to introduce measures to alleviate financial hardship caused to farmers because of the 'blockade' imposed by the three cross-Channel shipping companies;

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