European Parliament: Limit duration of animal transports

Animal transports to the slaughterhouse should not last longer than eight hours, the European Parliament (EP) has advised.

In a widely supported advice to the Commission, the EP stated that a time limit should be considered.

The European Parliament stated that exceptions ought to be possible for e.g. scientific purposes or due to geographical impossibilities. The resolution, which was adopted with 555 ‘ayes’ against 56 ‘nays’ also calls on Member States to maintain the legislation correctly and in the same manner. There should be more checks and sanctions should be dissuasive.

It is now up to the European Commission to decide whether the advice is taken. Given earlier statements of the Commission, it is not likely that this will happen.