According to the European Commission, animal transport should be shorter. The Brussels authorities proposed on Thursday, among other things, that trips to the butcher should last a maximum of nine hours. To date, there is no time limit for such trips, the committee said.
Transports to a destination other than a slaughterhouse should be limited to a maximum of 21 hours, with at least an hour’s break after ten hours. The committee calls it the biggest reform of animal transport rules in twenty years.
After this longer journey, the animals must rest outside the vehicle for at least 24 hours before the journey can continue. The animals must be fed and given water. Under the proposal, the animals would then be transported for another 21 hours before reaching their final destination.
The second part of the trip also requires a one-hour break after 10 hours of transportation. The proposals will now be further negotiated by the European Parliament and EU countries and could be adjusted before new rules come into force.
New rules for heat and cold
The Commission also proposes stricter requirements when it is particularly hot or cold. If temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees are expected, the rides should not last longer than nine hours.
At temperatures above 30 degrees, animal transport may only take place at night. If more than 30 degrees are predicted at night, the animals should be given more space. This is intended to prevent heat stress.
When temperatures are expected to be below freezing, the proposal calls for vehicles to be covered and animals to be protected from the wind. If the temperature falls below minus five degrees, the transport time is also limited to a maximum of nine hours.
Animal protection organization Four Paws described the Commission’s proposals as marginal cosmetic corrections. For example, it demands that all long-distance transport to countries outside the EU be banned. (sda/awp/dpa)
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Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
