Activities of Clara AGUILERA related to 2020/2269(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Protection of animals during transport - Protection of animals during transport (Recommendation) (debate)
Amendments (37)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
— having regard to the European Food Safety Authority scientific opinion "General approach to fish welfare and to the concept of sentience in fish", adopted on 29 January 20091a, _________________ 1a The EFSA Journal (2009) 954, 1-27
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)
Citation 10 b (new)
— having regard to the Aquatic Animal Health Code, OIE, 2015,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 c (new)
Citation 10 c (new)
— having regard to the European Commission’s study “Welfare of farmed fish: Common practices during transport and at slaughter”, September 2017,
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to the Council conclusions of 28 June 2021 on animal welfare during maritime long distances transport to third countries1a, _________________ 1a https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/docu ment/ST-10235-2021-INIT/en/pdf
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
Citation 22 a (new)
— having regard to the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Strategy 2021-20253a, _________________ 3a https://www.oie.int/app/uploads/2021/05/e n-oie-aahs.pdf
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas a number of reasons exist for the movement of live animals, including marketing, fattening, slaughter, rear proximity and capacity, rearing, breeding and breedinggional specialisation;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas limitations on the activity and profitability turns normally on impediments for research and innovation, adoption of best practices and investments in the future;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the European livestock farms employ around 4 million people (salaried and non-salaried), 80% of whom reside in the more recent EU Member States3a; _________________ 3a https://op.europa.eu/en/publication- detail/-/publication/04af47b0-0c38-11eb- bc07-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas livestock farming is the main beneficiary of second pillar aid to farms in disadvantaged areas, which make up 50% of the European UAA, and of Agro-Environmental Measures, which compensate for the additional costs linked to unfavourable location or the obligations of having to respect specific legislation4a; _________________ 4a https://op.europa.eu/en/publication- detail/-/publication/04af47b0-0c38-11eb- bc07-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K c (new)
Recital K c (new)
Kc. whereas EU fish intra-trade plays an essential role in the whole EU fishery trade and it accounted in 2014 for 86% of total trade within and outside the EU, volumes sold within the EU reaching at 5,74 million tonnes with a value of EUR 20,6 billion, the highest registered since 20065a. _________________ 5a https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/201 6/february/tradoc_154321.pdf
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that transport is stressful for animals andhe scientific literature on animal transport is scarce and that the transport is stressful for animals, especially when not properly conducted, and it can have a potential impact not only on their health and welfare, but on consumer's health as well;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes note of the fact that, albeit factors such as extreme temperatures, lack of food, water and rest, loading and unloading6a are catalysed by the length of the journey, it is not the journey duration per se that causes welfare issues for live animals during transport; further notes that, provided conditions are optimal, healthy and fit farm animals could possibly be exposed to long transport durations without necessarily compromising their welfare5a; _________________ 5a https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 221974187_Road_transport_of_farm_ani mals_Effect_of_journey_duration_on_ani mal_welfare 6a Results from scientific projects (Hartung et al., 2006; Marahrens et al., 2003) show that the main source of stress is the loading and unloading procedure and not the duration of transportation
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Emphasises that live animal transport is the result of the specialization of farmers in one or more stages of the animal’s life, of the management of environmental issues and of the various production systems across the EU, which arise from different geographical, climatic, environmental and traditional factors and that it supports the economic strength and social vibrancy of territories across the EU, which contain main production areas being located in depopulating areas or in areas with natural constraints across the EU;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Emphasises that due to the complex relationships among the various needs and requirements of farmed fish and their behavioural and physiological consequences, as for all animals it is impossible to find one single measurement or welfare indicator that will cover all possible husbandry systems, farmed species and situations;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that in the Council conclusions of 16 December 2019 on animal welfare, all Member States recognised the challenges that long- distance transport implies for animal welfare, the shortcomings and inconsistencies in enforcing the rules and the need for better rule enforcement, as well as the need to review and update the current legislation, in the light of the latest scientific knowledge;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 does not fully take into account the different transport needs of animals, according to species, age, size and physical condition, or specific feeding and watering requirements; underlines that for terrestrial farm animals, transport is prescribed in more details in the Regulation, but not for fish;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasises that EFSA has recognised that the animal welfare scientific publications are scarce1a and that may be a limitation to comply with the mandate of the EC to update the legislation to the latest scientific evidence; _________________ 1a https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/anim al-transport-help-us-prepare-our- assessment
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises that unclear requirements for headroom oftenmay lead to situations where animals are not able to stand in their natural position, undermining the objective of protecting animals during transport and insists that more scientific evidence is needed to provide accurate recommendations;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out with concern that the inspection and certification procedures for livestock vessels are not harmonised and lack mandatory inspection criteria in some Member States, which is aggravated by the fact that the results of these procedures are not communicated between Member States, leading to the real possibility of a vessel that has been rejected in one Member State being approved in another; notes that there is evidence that the authorities in some Member States have approved and/or permitted the use of vessels which do not comply with the EU rules on animal welfare;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note of the Commission’s findings that, with some exceptions, the systems in place for livestock vessel approval are insufficient to minimise the risks, mainly because the majority of the competent authorities inspecting livestock vessels do not have adequate procedures, or access to specific technical expertise, to verify vessels’ emergency systems, systems for water pumps and feeding, ventilation and drainage, all ofnon veterinary systems which are critical for animal welfare during a journey on a livestock vessel;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Acknowledges that some road transport vehicles even if authorised are not structurally appropriate and do not guarantee safety and comfort to the transported animals and can create unfair competition between companies; notes that new and innovative solutions for watering and feeding systems, as well as solutions to better accommodate live animals during long journeys, are still lacking; stress that greater stability is needed for those companies working correctly to promote investments in the improvement of their infrastructures;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that in a high number of vehicles,there are vehicles, even if they are officially authorised, where drinking facilities are not adapted to the specific drinking behaviour or size of the transported animals: are out of reach for the animals or are not available in sufficient number or with adequate distribution; regrets the fact that the current Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 does not give precise indications about the type or required number of watering devices inside the transport vehicle; recalls that EU authorisations protocols for vehicles are needed;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Points out that Member States are solely responsible for creating sanction systems, which ultimately leaves each of them to define their own administrative and sanctioning procedures, as well as the level of penalties for infringements in the event of animal welfare violations during transport, thereby resulting in very different systems all across the EUnd unfair competition between operators all across the EU, as well as avoidance of some routes, leading, in some cases, to longer transport distances and times;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Is also aware of the inconsistencies in risk-based animal welfare road controls, which is generated by the lack of police training of police officers, the insufficient human resource and the lack of equipment and infrastructure;
Amendment 418 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Regrets the fact that, in spite of the mandatory use of control post facilities for unloading, watering, feeding and resting of animals during long journeys, the availability and quality of them is not enough to house the animals properly or the drivers of the vehicles do not always stop in keeping with the requirements of the regulation, as has been reported on various occasions; calls de Commission to foreseen more stopping points and of better quality;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Regrets the fact that, in spite of the mandatory use of control post facilities for unloading, watering, feeding and resting of animals during long journeys, thvehicle drivers of the vehicles do not always stop or unload the animals in keeping with the requirements of the regulation, as has been reported on various occasions;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Takes note of the paucity of updated scientific knowledge on fish species specific requirements regarding oxygen, pH, salinity and temperature, and their different abilities to cope with variances of these parameters during transport;
Amendment 483 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Stresses the vulnerability of unweaned animals and that the current minimum age for the transport of calves is too lowmay seem too low thus the conditions and quality of care of the animals in the rearing farms until transport can be improved to promote their immunity; highlights that, according to various experts and the former sub-group of the EU Animal Platform on Animal Welfare, more scientific evidence is needed to support good practices in the long-distance transport of unweaned animals and that the current provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 are not adapted to the needs of these animals;
Amendment 510 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Recalls that, according to the European Implementation Assessment of the European Regulation 1/2005, ascertaining the state of pregnancy of live animals is still problematic7a; _________________ 7a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/STUD/2018/621853/EPRS_STU(2 018)621853_EN.pdf
Amendment 532 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52a. Notes with concern the absence of an authorised transporter for the sea leg of the journey, in some cases8a; _________________ 8a https://op.europa.eu/en/publication- detail/-/publication/fc8d71e4-93f5-11ea- aac4-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format- PDF/source-130896440
Amendment 535 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Considers that the presence of a veterinarian for the leg of the journey at sea to provide real-time support for sick or injured animals on vessels, as well as to adjust the watering and feeding of the animals to their immediate needs constitutes good practice;
Amendment 536 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Considers that the presence of a veterinarian or an experienced person with equivalent skills and training, for the leg of the journey at sea to provide support for sick or injured animals on vessels constitutes good practice;
Amendment 570 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Notes that once livestock crosses the EU border, respect for animal welfare standards may be difficult to guarantee, both en route and on arrival, as third countries are not bound by EU legislation; recalls the judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which states that EU welfare rules are binding until the final place of destination in third countries; considers that more effort is needed to promote EU good practices in third countries clients and/or suppliers of the EU;
Amendment 587 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Stresses that inadequate journey planning in terms of administrative procedures, unrealistic journey times and lack of coordination with border posts, as well as an excessive bureaucratic burden, can create a cascade of delays at borders and ports, when a large number of trucks arrive at the port and all livestock needs to be loaded on board a single vessel;
Amendment 608 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Points out the lack of an EU-level system to verify and ensure the existence of control posts in third countries and that these control posts comply with the rules, as well as the lack of an official EU updated list of resting posts outside the EU; takes note of the work done in the past by the independent certification and audit bodies in creating a list of such control posts outside the EU along the frequent road transport routes;
Amendment 610 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Recalls the external independent audits taking place outside the EU until 2013 and their positive impact on animal welfare, as the only effective tool in monitoring, checking and enforcing the provisions of the EU Regulation 1/2005 during the stages of the journey taking place outside the EU and in complying with the judgement of the European Court of Justice of 23 April 2015;
Amendment 617 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)
Paragraph 63 a (new)
63a. Takes note of the best available legislative environments, such as the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS)3a, through which the Australian Government legally monitors, audits and holds accountable all actors involved in the supply chain, ensuring the traceability throughout the transport of live animals and their welfare at all stages of the journey, from loading, until slaughtering in a third country; _________________ 3a https://www.agriculture.gov.au/export/con trolled-goods/live- animals/livestock/information-exporters- industry/escas