The European Union has been an advocate of animal welfare for more than 40 years and is widely recognised as a global leader, with some of the world’s best animal welfare standards. EU rules have also positively influenced legislation in non-EU countries. They mainly concern farm animals (on the farm, during transport and at slaughter), but also wildlife, laboratory animals and pets. In December 2021, Parliament’s Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport (ANIT) wrapped up its work of 18 months, concluding that EU animal welfare rules are not always complied with in member states - and do not fully take into account animals’ different transport needs. The most obvious violations include a lack of headroom, water or food supply for transported animals, the shipping of animals unfit for transport and overcrowding. Vehicles that are inappropriate for transporting animals are being used, and transport sometimes take place under extreme temperature and extended journey times. To remedy the situation, the draft recommendations call on the EU Commission to update the current EU rules, to establish limits on journey time for all animal species and ages, ban the transport of very young animals below the age of 35 days, and bolster controls on live animal export. MEPs also advocate a transition to a more efficient and ethical system, that favours the transport of semen and embryos over breeding stock, and carcasses and meat over animals being moved for slaughter.

Animal welfare

The committee of inquiry ANIT on alleged contraventions and maladministration in animal transport will primarily investigate the alleged failure of the Commission and of member states to effectively enforce numerous EU rules related to animal transport within the EU and beyond its borders.

The committee should investigate alleged violations in the application of European Union law on the protection of animals during transport - and related operations within and outside the EU, including by air, road, rail and sea.

The constituent meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

ANIT - Committee of inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport

ANIT Committee

ANIT Committee - Public Hearing on Recommendations for the Future

ANIT Committee - Public hearing  on Alternatives to long-distance live animal transport and farmers' experience of the shift to alternatives

ANIT Committee - Exchange of views with Emmanuelle SOUBEYRAN, French Deputy Director of Food and Chief Veterinary Officer

ANIT Committee - Exchange of views with Lajos BOGNAR, Hungarian Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy State Secretary for Food Chain Control

ANIT Committee - Exchange of views with Mr Joee PODGORSEK, Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, on the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency

ANIT Committee - Exchange of views with Lithuanian Deputy Director of the State Food and Veterinary Service

ANIT Committee - Investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union.

Press conference by Daniel BUDA (EPP, RO), and Isabel CARVALHAIS (S&D, PT), co-rapporteurs, following the vote by ANIT Members on the draft report and the draft recommendation on the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union. 1233 amendments have been tabled and many compromises have been reached.

Press conference by Daniel BUDA (EPP, RO), and Isabel CARVALHAIS (S&D, PT), co-rapporteurs on Animal welfare during transport - Parliament's recommendations

Throughout the EU, millions of animals are reared in cages, in conditions that seriously harm their welfare. A European Citizens' Initiative, 'End the Cage Age', calls on the European Commission to end the practice of keeping animals in cages and to propose legislation to prohibit their use.The Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport was set up in June 2020 to investigate alleged violations in the application of European Union law on the protection of animals during transport and related operations within and outside the EU, including by air, road, rail and sea. This infoclip illustrates: Farm Animal welfare - wellbeing and transport.

Infoclip: Farm Animal welfare - wellbeing and transport

The Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport hold a public hearing with experts on the transport of live animals to third countries. Exchange of views with Constança CARVALHO, PATAV (Anti-Transport Platform for Live Animals), Péter HENCZ, Managing director, HUNLAND Trans Kft, Lorène JACQUET, Campaigns and Advocacy Manager, Fondation Brigitte Bardot and Heinz OSTERLOH, German Cattle and Meat Trade Association and statement by Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA, LU), ANIT Chair.

Transport of live animals to third countries: extracts from the public hearing and statement by Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA, LU), ANIT Chair - ANIT Committee

The Special Committees on Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU (INGE), on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age (AIDA), on Beating Cancer (BECA) as well as the Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) and the Committee of Inquiry on animal transport (ANIT) hold their constitutive meetings and elect their chairs and vice-chairs in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Constitutive meeting of 5 new Special Committees - Inquiry on animal transport (ANIT): illustrative shots and statement by Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA,LU), elected Chair

Committee of Inquiry on animal transport

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