WAV Comment – we are not going to say much about all this other than here is another example of an ‘EU Extension’. You can read the proposals for research into issues that have been obvious and evidence provided by welfare organisations in their experiences monitoring and gathering information over so many years. Delay, delay, delay without ever taking any real measures to address the situation; that is the way of the EU, and why progress in animal welfare is never made. God help when they have to look into intensive cage production systems across the EU !.  

We have made bold some of the factors now being reviewed – see ‘Red text’ below, and ask yourself; does all this now need to be further examined for xx amounts of years ?  

We only view this a further delay tactics by the EU and its Commission because they are not capable of making decisive decisions on issues such as the transport of animals.

Produced and issued by the EU on 2/12/19:

Animals

Animal Welfare: extension of the mandate of the Platform The European Commission has adopted a Decision extending the mandate of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare until 30 June 2021. This additional time will ensure the continuity of the dialogue and the activities of the members on specific animal welfare files. Launched in 2017, the Platform is now widely recognised as an important tool for exchanging of best practices and undertaking non-legislative initiatives. During the 6th meeting, on 7th October 2019, the members adopted several conclusions on animal transport, welfare of pigs and equines. The 7th meeting of the Platform is scheduled to take place in the first semester of 2020.

 

Platform conclusions

Disclaimer: the content of the documents does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Commission.

The Platform adopted the following conclusions during the 6^th meeting on 7^th October 2019 according to Article 7.6 of the Commission Decision of 24 January 2017 establishing the Platform.

Subgroup on transport

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the subgroup. The subgroup has produced a number of relevant documents on “exports of cattle” and on “extreme temperatures” and the Platform invites its members to disseminate the recommendations of the documents and take actions in line with the documents and proposals. These should contribute to improve the welfare of animals and to better enforce the EU legislation on animal transport. In relation to the document on “unweaned animals (calves)” produced by the subgroup, the platform acknowledges that it contributes substantially to progress on the issue, but further dialogue is necessary before recommending its dissemination and use.

Exports of cattle

• Recommendations to improve the development and exchange of coordinated actions regarding cattle exports to non-EU countries
• Organiser’s factsheet: Organizing the export of cattle via road to a non-EU country?

Extreme temperatures

• Research gaps on the topic of animal welfare during transport under extreme temperatures

 

Sub-Group ANIMAL TRANSPORT

RESEARCH GAPS ON THE TOPIC OF ANIMAL WELFARE DURING TRANSPORT UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURES

General topics

 Biosecurity measures for animal transport under extreme temperatures Develop a set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of common pathogens in animal transport under extreme temperatures

 Physiology and Behavior of Thermal Stressed Animals Identify and measure physiological and behavioral responses of farm animals to thermal tress during transport

 Thermal Stress Risk Assessment Identify and analyze potential (future) risks that may negatively impact livestock welfare during transport under extreme temperatures Evaluate suitability of current travelling and resting times when animals are transported in extreme temperatures

 Nutritional needs and energy balance Identify and measure nutritional needs and energy balance of livestock during transport under extreme temperatures

 Economic, Environmental and Societal effects Develop sustainable models to monitor animal welfare during transport under extreme temperatures; Financial, environmental and societal effects of the existing network of slaughterhouses across Europe, especially in relation to rural development, and possible impact of encouraging short transports in order to limit the impact of extreme temperatures on live animals; Financial, environmental and societal impact of the establishment of a maximum 8-hour limit for the transport of animals sent for slaughter, thus limiting the adverse effects of extreme temperatures

DOC/12456/2019

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 Transport facilities designs Truck design and engineer to improve animal welfare during transport under extreme temperatures

 Risk reduction Financial and welfare impact of transport of bulls’ sperm/semen instead of cattle for breeding purposes

 Scientific evaluation of the frequency of long distance transports that are on the road when it is >30 degrees

 Scientific comparison of animal transports < 8 hrs and long distance transports in terms of infringements of legal animal welfare standards related to adverse weather conditions and extreme temperatures

 Animal welfare benefits in relation to extreme temperatures when long- distance journeys are replaced by maximum 8-hour journeys

 Survey of potential rise of acceptance of agricultural practices by society about a general 8 hrs limit when linked to the issue of extreme temperatures

 Transport using livestock vessels

 Transport by air

Species specific topics

 Transportation of research animals  Prevention of dehydration of poultry  Transport of rabbits, fur animals, fish  Transport of companion animals  Transport of wild and captive animals  Transport of turkeys

DOC

• Proposals for dissemination of information
• Proposal for an application on live animal transport
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Cattle
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Horses
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Pigs
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Poultry
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Sheep

Subgroup on welfare of pigs

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the subgroup. The subgroup has provided targeted proposals for assisting in the development of indicators for tail-biting risks. The Platform invites the EU Reference Centre on animal welfare for pigs to consider the document “Indicators for tail biting risks relating to compliance criteria on health, dietary factors and space and competition” within the framework of its Work Programme for the future. The Platform invites its members to use this proposal, to develop it further in their research frameworks, and in proposals to strengthen official controls using animal welfare indicators. In relation to the document “Measuring tail damage at the slaughterhouse and setting common thresholds” produced by the subgroup, the platform acknowledges the principle but dialogue on the technical details is necessary before recommending its dissemination and use.

Voluntary initiative on responsible ownership and care of equidae

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the voluntary initiative. The working group concludes that the following document should be promoted in order to improve the welfare of equidae in the EU:

Guide to good animal welfare practices for the keeping, care, training and use of horses.