Animal transport needs reasonable legislation

Abstract

The paper describes practical problems of animal trade. It is written from the point of view of an animal breeding organisation and does therefore not discuss in detail physiological indicators or the development of the EU legislation in that field. Based on the practical experiences it is assumed that animals can be transported in a reasonable and responsible way, without significant and long lasting negative effects, even over long distances. The current rules for animal transport in the EU, which have been developed between 1991 and 1998 still show serious shortcomings as they appear to have been laid down prematurely and in the absence of sufficient scientific knowledge. The paper points to some of the shortcomings and provides for proposals to change the current legislation: Unloading and loading at staging points should be dropped, loading densities should be derived from practical experience, driving and resting times for animals and driver must be harmonised, the regulation of staging points needs to be simplified and the control and sanctioning system must be uniform and transparent.