New animal transport proposals to be scrutinised by MEPs
UK - The European Parliament is to hold a public hearing this month on the European Commission’s proposed new animal transport rules.
12 January 2004
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National
Pig Association  THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & White-hall, and with pro-cessors, supermarkets & caterers – fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry. |
The Parliament is expected to deliver its opinion on the new rules (which could adversely affect British breeding companies and multi-site operators) by April.
Meanwhile at December’s EC agriculture council meeting attended by member state agriculture ministers, health and consumer protection commissioner David Byrne (above) claimed broad support for the new rules on several key aspects. “I hope the current momentum can be sustained and that the positive results achieved thus far will motivate future work under the Irish presidency in order to reach an early agreement on the issue."
About ten percent of animal transport in the EU is long distance. The Commission's proposals foresee much stricter rules for journeys of more than nine hours, thus mirroring other EU legislation governing the time drivers can spend on the road. NPA opposes some aspects of the proposed new legislation. It says by seeking to harmonise drivers' hours, the EC is confusing social issues with animal welfare issues.
Source: National Pig Association - 12th January 2004
