Activities of Rosanna CONTE related to 2020/2269(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Protection of animals during transport - Protection of animals during transport (Recommendation) (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 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
Amendments (116)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
Citation 6
— having regard to Article 13 of the TFEU, which stipulates that, in formulating and implementing the Union’s policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
— having regard to the resolution of 12 December 2012 on the protection of animals during transport,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Citation 24 a (new)
— having regard to the significant progress on animal welfare made by all of the sectors involved in this report in recent decades,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 b (new)
Citation 24 b (new)
— having regard to the fact that the EU regulations and standards on animal welfare are the highest in the world, thanks to the efforts of our breeders, transporters and civil society,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the Committee of Inquiry started work on 23 September 2020, setting out the methodology for its work consisting of public hearings, consultations of experts, requests for data, evidence and research, which have not yet been concluded at the time of writing this report;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas, therefore, the Commission and the Member States should commit to defending the strict application of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, not only within the Union but also outside it;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas a number of justifiable reasons exist for the movement of live animals, including marketing, fattening, slaughter, rearing and breeding;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas every year millions of animals are transported over long distances within and between Member States and from and to third countries;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the disappearance of local slaughterhouses prevents farmers from selling meat directly within their territory and this is one of the reasons for longer journey times; whereas this is a challenge that the Union and the Member States must tackle;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas every year millions of live animals are transported within Member States and to third countries over long distances for breeding, rearing, further fattening and slaughter;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas slaughtering animals as close as possible to where they are reared allows farmers to promote their own agricultural products and is likely to ensure greater animal welfare;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
Jb. whereas EU citizens are increasingly keen to see compliance with animal welfare standards, especially in live animal transports;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J d (new)
Recital J d (new)
Jd. whereas slaughtering animals closer to their breeding place can improve animal welfare by limiting journey times;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J e (new)
Recital J e (new)
Je. whereas the disappearance of local slaughterhouses, which is a factor in longer journey times, is an issue that the Union and the Member States must address;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the Commission must ensure that all Member States correctly apply EU legislation on animal transport, not only to ensure animal welfare but also to avoid unfair competition;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas imports of animals into the EU often lead to unfair practices against our breeders as a result of insufficient animal welfare rules;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas strict checks on animal transport from third countries can reduce unfair competition at the expense of EU producers and encourage third countries to improve their animal transport standards;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas EU rules and standards on animal welfare are the highest in the world, thanks to the significant progress made and the efforts of our breeders, transporters and civil society;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K c (new)
Recital K c (new)
Kc. whereas it is important to support our livestock sectors, preventing loss of market share;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K e (new)
Recital K e (new)
Ke. whereas complying with animal welfare principles improves the quality of meat products;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that transport is, if it does not comply with the conditions laid down in the regulations and the provisions adopted by the Member States, transport can be stressful for animals and can have a potential impact on their health and welfare;
Amendment 134 #
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;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recalls, in this respect, that Article 1(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 allows Member States to adopt stricter national measures aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport taking place entirely within their territory or during sea transport departing from their territory;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the Commission, in its 2011 report on the impact of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, identified the enforcement of the regulation as a major challenge, partly because of differences in the interpretatransposition of the requirements and partly because of the lack of controls by the Member States;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 does not fullyshould be updated, takeing into account the research and testing activities carried out on transport based on the different transport needs of animals, according to species, age, size and physical condition, or specific feeding and watering requirements;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Concludes that manysome of the problems in animal transport originate from unclear requirements and the lack of clear definitions in the current regulation, leaving room for unevdifferent application of the rules and for increased risks for animals, and for unfair competition among operators in the sector, leaving companies which abide by the rules facing unfair competition from those which do not;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Emphasises the need for a harmonised EU sanctions system in order to ensure that sanctions are effective, proportionate and dissuasive, and that they take account of repeat offences, even where committed in different Member States;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the need to guarantee equal treatment of animals regardless of their commercial value and to ensure the best transport conditions at all times;
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls attention to the numerous reports and information from citizens, NGOs and audit reports on animal welfare problems during transport and non- compliance with the regulation, in particular concerning long journeys and transport from and to third countries, in some cases compromising the European Union’s obligation to ensure the protection of animal welfare during transport;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes good note of the information provided by NGOs regarding the complaints lodged with the Commission on the alleged failure to comply with Regulation (EC) No 1/2005; takes note of their conclusions of systematicome breaches of the regulation;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges the letters sent by the Commission, in the framework of the Farm to Fork strategy, asking Member States to ensure immediate and full compliance with EU requirements, including on animal welfare during transport, and expressing its determination to take legal action in the event of systematic non-compliance; notes that no infringements proceedings have been opened by the Commission against any Member State;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the most frequently documented violations are linked to the lack of headroom, animals being unfit for transport, overcrowding, transport during extreme temperatures and journey durationfailure to comply with the Regulation; notes the need to set up a European IT system to improve the collection and monitoring of transport data;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Notes the need to improve the transport of species that are not adequately covered by Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, such as poultry and rabbits, as well as fish and shellfish;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Notes the need to improve: - the checking of journey logs; - the application and proportionality of sanctions; - the training of drivers and companies; - the certification process for means of transport by road and livestock vessels, so that means of transport that cannot offer good transport conditions are refused certification;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the space allowances as defined in the regulation create room for different interpretations by the competent authorities and transporters, in particular when adaptations are needed to take account of meteorological conditions and journey timesmeans of transport must comply with the regulation with regard to space allowances and ventilation conditions, which must be sufficient to ensure the welfare of the animals during transport; stresses that overcrowding is particularly harmful for animals when combined with inadequate ventilation;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises that unclear requirements for headroom often lead to situations where animals are not able to stand in their natural position, underminit is in the absolute interest of sellers, transporters and buyers to ensure that all animal welfare requirements are met during transport, including the objective of protecting animals during transportadroom and correct loading and unloading procedures, to ensure that animals arrive at their destination in the best possible condition;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes note of several reports of incorrect handling by some operators during animal loading and unloading, causing unnecessary stress and suffering; stresses that proper animal handling results in shorter loading and unloading times, reduced weight loss, fewer injuries and wounds and, ultimately, better meat quality;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Finds that inadequate partitions in road vehicles constitute a common violation of the Animal Transport Regulation and have the potential to causet is necessary to establish suitable funding and support for transport modernisation, with appropriate technology to load, transport and unload animals in complete safety, including for humans, without causing accidents and injuries to animals;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that according to Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, the farmer, the driver and transport companies share equal responsibility for assessing whether animals are fit for transport; notes that the most common breaches in this respect concern the transport of pregnant animals, animals more than 90 % of the way through gestation, which sometimes give birth on board, downers (with physiological weakness and/or wounds or a pathological condition), and animals with wounds or prolapses, and that these are the result of no or inadequate checks at the time of departure; believes, therefore, that it is necessary to ensure strict checks and full compliance with the regulation at the time of departure to avoid such breaches;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Local slaughterhouses, mobile slaughterhouses and slaughter systems
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Regrets the significant economic challenges faced by small local slaughterhouses; regrets, in particular, that slaughterhouses are being restructured and their number reduced;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Notes that the disappearance of local slaughterhouses, which is a factor in longer journey times, is an issue that the Union and the Member States must address; stresses the importance of setting up funding mechanisms to ensure the development and economic viability of local slaughterhouses;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16f. Calls for all animals to be stunned before slaughter, without exception;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 i (new)
Paragraph 16 i (new)
16i. Regrets the fact that slaughterhouse workers still do not receive sufficient vocational training to reduce the suffering of animals; regrets, furthermore, the relentless pace demanded of slaughterhouse workers, which sometimes endangers their health and causes additional animal suffering;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is very concerned about the number of reports of inappropriate vehicles being used to transport live animals, whether by land or by sea, and recognises the majornotes the differences between the Member States in interpreting and enforcing the regulation, as far as the approval of the means of transport is concerned;
Amendment 296 #
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, 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 in some cases 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 299 #
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’ systems for water pumpsloading ramps and cutting chutes, water pumps, watering, feeding, ventilation and drainage of animal waste, all of which are critical for animal welfare during a journey on a livestock vessel;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to develop, together with the European Maritime Safety Agency, a European Union database of inspections of sea vessels, aimed at establishing a common register of checkRecognises the importance of developing a European Union IT system made up of a central database and an app for mobile devices, allowing entry of all data on transport, the suitability of means of road or sea transport, a census of authorised transporters and certificates of suitability in the European Union, breaches of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 and any sanctions imposed by the authorities, in order to allow the traffic control authorities to perform transport checks in real time, without having to stop vehicles where everything is in order, and inspections of sea vessels to allow all Member States to see all the previous checks performed on a vessel and their results;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Acknowledges the existence, in general, of well-developed national guidelines for the approval of livestock vehicles for road transport, but regretnotes that they are not always followed during the approval procedures;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Agrees that the weaknesses related to the approval of road transport vehicles can be linked to certificate templates being too general and not designed on a species and age-specific basis, thereby affecting the quality of inspection procedures by not providing enough detailed information; recognises, therefore, the need to set up a European IT system to monitor and check transport data;
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Acknowledges that some road transport vehicles are not structurally appropriate and do not guarantee safety and comfort to the transported animals; 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 lackavailable and should be promoted and encouraged through appropriate EU funding;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that the vehicles used for transporting animals inside and, outside and to the Union are often not equipped with air cooling systems; highlights that though air ventilation systems move the air through the animal compartment, the temperature inside the vehicle will nevertheless mainly reflect the external temperature, in particular when the vehicle is stationary;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes that, where companies infringe the rules on the transport of live animals, this results in unfair competition; calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a procedure to quickly withdraw the licences of such companies;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that further improvements to data collection systems and to TRACES can be made in the current legislative framework, creating a more extensive European IT system, to help harmonise procedures between Member States’ competent authorities;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Calls on the Commission to provide better guidance to Member States on how the integrated computerised veterinary system (TRACES) can help them to better target their inspections;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33b. Calls for public access to the information collected through TRACES;
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Is aware that, despite the high level of non-compliance during animal transport, reporting of infringements between the Member States is poor and that effective and dissuasive sanctions against those who violate the regulation are lacking;
Amendment 374 #
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 EU;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Notes that effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for serious and repeated offences could include confiscation of vehicles, suspension or withdrawal of a transporter’s licence, and additional mandatory training for those individuals responsible for animal welfare and transport;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)
Paragraph 37 b (new)
37b. Calls on the Commission to collate and publish a list of operators having committed serious and repeated infringements of the regulation, based on inspection and enforcement reports;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Recognises the difficulties for competent authorities in performing checks and in collecting data, particularly on end- of-the journey log information and satellite navigation system data, which create difficulties when assessing journeys and performing retrospective checks, as well as for imposing sanctions on transporters from other Member States; recognises that this is due in part to the current system of paper journey logs and the lack of agreed standards for satellite navigation systems; calls for greater cooperation in developing technologies that can monitor the location of animals, their journey times and compliance with transport schedules;
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Recognises the difficulties for competent authorities in performing checks and in collecting data, particularly on end- of-the journey log information and satellite navigation system data, which create difficulties when assessing journeys and performing retrospective checks, as well as for imposing sanctions on transporters from other Member States; recognises that this is due in part to the current system of paper journey logs and the lack of agreed standards for satellite navigation systems; notes that greater cooperation in developing technology to collect and check all transport data would facilitate the procedures;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Recalls the 2015 judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-424/13, which states that, in order for transport involving a long journey which commences on the territory of the European Union and continues outside that territory to be authorised, the transporter must submit a journey log which is realistic and accurate, so that compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 can be verified;
Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 b (new)
Paragraph 39 b (new)
39b. Stresses that the contingency plans required under Article 11(1)(b)(iv) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 for long journeys, which enable the transporter to limit the impact on the animals of any delay or accident, must be effective, realistic and extended to all journeys;
Amendment 399 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 c (new)
Paragraph 39 c (new)
39c. Stresses that the competent authorities of the Member States must ensure that journey logs for long-distance transport contain evidence of a reservation at a control post, including food, water and fresh bedding;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 d (new)
Paragraph 39 d (new)
39d. Whistleblowers
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 e (new)
Paragraph 39 e (new)
39e. Stresses the need to grant special protection to individuals working in the transport sector or veterinary checks when they observe and report infringements of the animal protection legislation during their work;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 f (new)
Paragraph 39 f (new)
39f. Stresses, too, the need to grant protection to individuals working in the slaughter industry when they observe and report infringements of animal protection legislation during their work;
Amendment 417 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 d (new)
Paragraph 40 d (new)
40d. Regrets that Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 regards journeys at sea as rest periods; takes the opposite view that current sea transport conditions do not allow animals to rest properly; calls for the transport of animals by sea to have a maximum permitted duration, given how difficult – even impossible – it is for animals to rest during journeys at sea, which can take several weeks;
Amendment 419 #
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, in some Member States the drivers of the vehicles do not always stop in keeping with the requirements of the regulation, as has been reported on various occasions;
Amendment 425 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Recalls that the current Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 does not give precise indications about the amount and the type of bedding to be made available for livestock; stresses thate importance of adequate ventilation, preventing dirty or insufficient bedding from exposesing animals to the risk of injuries, cold and lack of physical comfort when lying down, and from contributesing to negative health conditions;
Amendment 437 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Recalls the need to support the various sectors involved and to highlight the many advances made in recent decades and the good practices already adopted;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Loading and unloading
Amendment 439 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Stresses that loading and unloading operations are particularly problematic in terms of animal welfare; calls on the Member States to carry out systematic and effective inspections before animals are loaded, particularly when loading onto ships;
Amendment 441 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 d (new)
Paragraph 43 d (new)
43d. Stresses the need for official veterinarians to be present during the loading of animals, particularly when loading onto ships; emphasises that inspections are particularly necessary in preventing the transport of unfit animals and any mistreatment during loading;
Amendment 446 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Points out that exposure to temperatures outside the optimal range, and, in particular, to high temperatures, is one of the maimeans of transport with unsuitable ventilation systems can causes of animal welfare problems and suffering during transport;
Amendment 451 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Notes that Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 only contains a general provision on temperature, lacking indications about the temperature-humidity index and about species- and age-specific optimal temperature ranges that must be checked before departure and monitored during the journey;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Recalls that Annex I, Chapter II, paragraph 1.2 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 states that animals’ compartments must provide sufficient space to ensure adequate ventilation inside vehicles and not hinder the natural movement of animals;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Recalls that the means of transport by road and sea for long journeys must be fitted with a temperature monitoring and recording system, as well as with a means of recording such data; regrets the lack of mandatory requirements for such systems in livestock vessels;
Amendment 484 #
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 low; 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 notmust be strictly applied in order to be adapted to the needs of these animals;
Amendment 506 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Highlights the special situation of shellfish, such as American and tropical lobsters, which are transported live to Europe by sea or air; notes that the mortality rate during such air transport can range from 2% to 3% for American lobsters and up to 5% to 8% for certain tropical lobsters;
Amendment 509 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Recalls that to ensure improved animal welfare, the livestock or transport sectors require investment and research that are properly supported by specific funding;
Amendment 513 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Stresses that the mortality rate of fish and shellfish imported into Europe must be reduced, as this is a waste in both food and environmental terms;
Amendment 515 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 c (new)
Paragraph 50 c (new)
50c. Stresses the need to ensure, during the transport of fish and shellfish: - water quality and respect for the fasting period essential to that quality; - the absence of diseases in the fish and shellfish; - the absence of injuries to the fish and shellfish;
Amendment 518 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 d (new)
Paragraph 50 d (new)
50d. Disease prevention
Amendment 520 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 e (new)
Paragraph 50 e (new)
50e. Emphasises that failure to comply with the regulation can result in the occurrence and spread of infectious animal diseases, given that the promiscuity inherent in transport can quickly spread disease;
Amendment 522 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 f (new)
Paragraph 50 f (new)
50f. Notes that heat and humidity in livestock vessels promote the development of toxic fungi;
Amendment 524 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 g (new)
Paragraph 50 g (new)
50g. Stresses the need to develop harmonised procedures for approving transport and to take steps to prevent the spread of infectious animal diseases during transport, both within the Union and from third countries;
Amendment 530 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Stresses the lack of clarity of the provisions in the Animal Transport Regulation on the identification of the organiser and the transporter, and on the suitability of the vessel and the preparedness and capability of the crew to ensure animal welfare, on the sea journey leg, particularly when the operation involves several consignments with different origins;
Amendment 534 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Considers that the presence of a veterinarianone or more official veterinarians or other qualified personnel, in proportion to the number of animals transported, for the leg of the journey at sea to provide support for sick or injured animals on vessels constitutes good practicemust be made obligatory;
Amendment 545 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53a. Emphasises the need to promote mobile slaughterhouses, particularly in island and mountain areas, to reduce considerably the transport of live animals, particularly injured or end-of-career animals, and to encourage direct sales;
Amendment 546 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53a. Stresses the urgent need to strengthen monitoring of compliance with maritime safety standards by livestock vessels, in particular by enforcing the requirements laid down in Articles 20 and 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005;
Amendment 550 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 b (new)
Paragraph 53 b (new)
53b. Calls on the Member States to be more stringent in their vessel certification procedures;
Amendment 551 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 c (new)
Paragraph 53 c (new)
53c. Stresses the need to set up a blacklist of vessels unfit for the transport of live animals, so that a vessel prohibited by one Member State or third country cannot be approved by another Member State;
Amendment 554 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 d (new)
Paragraph 53 d (new)
53d. Transport of live animals in the island and outermost regions
Amendment 555 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 e (new)
Paragraph 53 e (new)
53e. Notes that the particularly difficult geographical situation of the island and outermost regions means that local rearing and short supply chains should be encouraged in order to reduce the journey time of animals;
Amendment 556 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 f (new)
Paragraph 53 f (new)
53f. Stresses the need to encourage mobile slaughterhouses in island territories, and particularly in the outermost regions; notes that using such mobile slaughterhouses considerably reduces the road and sea transport of live animals in those regions;
Amendment 557 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9
Subheading 9
Transport of live animals from and to third countries
Amendment 559 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to promote EU standards internationally, in the framework of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); considers that the rules on the well- being of animals in third countries provide a much lower level of protection than the EU standards and regrets the fact that OIE standards are not sufficiently applied in third countries; considers that more effort must be made to avoid unfair competition with European companies and EU operators who observe stricter regulations than third countries;
Amendment 564 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)
Paragraph 54 a (new)
54a. Stresses the need for the Union, in trade negotiations with third countries, to develop tariff and non-tariff barriers geared to the level of compliance with our animal welfare standards in order to reduce unfair competition;
Amendment 580 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 c (new)
Paragraph 55 c (new)
55c. Stresses the need for aid granted to third countries to be conditional upon respect for animal welfare in those countries, in terms of rearing, transport and slaughter; stresses, further, that the Union, in trade negotiations with third countries, must promote the same level of protection of animal welfare as in the European Union;
Amendment 581 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 d (new)
Paragraph 55 d (new)
55d. Regrets the fact that many animals that die at sea are thrown overboard, often after having their ear tags cut off to prevent identification; stresses that exporting Member States should determine how many dead animals are dumped in the Mediterranean and identify those vessels that are responsible;
Amendment 582 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 e (new)
Paragraph 55 e (new)
55e. Stresses that the border or port Member States, which are responsible for checking road vehicles and vessels heading for third countries, must penalise any infringements of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, in particular the requirements laid down in Articles 20 and 21 of the regulation;
Amendment 586 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Stresses that inadequate journey planning in terms of administrative procedures, 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; takes the view that a quickly and easily accessible European IT system for checks and data collection could help to reduce costs, bureaucratic burdens and delays;
Amendment 600 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Agrees with the Commission that the presence of a qualifiedn official veterinarian or another qualified professional during loading for long journeys from and to non- EU countries constitutes good practice16; that should be made obligatory; _________________ 16 Final report of an audit carried out in the Netherlands from 20 February 2017 to 24 February 2017 in order to evaluate animal welfare during transport to non-EU countries, European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, 2017.
Amendment 604 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59 a (new)
Paragraph 59 a (new)
59a. Stresses the need to ensure that official veterinarians are present at the Union exit points, especially between Bulgaria and Turkey, in order to guarantee that the animal welfare standards are met, and especially to guarantee feeding, watering and rest periods;
Amendment 605 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59 b (new)
Paragraph 59 b (new)
59b. Stresses the importance of inspecting all consignments headed for third countries during their loading; considers that the competent authorities of the Member States should particularly check that the provisions on floor area and headroom, good working order of ventilation and watering systems, and availability of food and litter to the animals are met;
Amendment 607 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Stresses that the border Member States and third countries are responsible for providing rest areas so that animals can be given the necessary care, with all staff qualified to quickly carry out health and customs checks at the borders; calls on the Commission to set up funding mechanisms so that such facilities can be developed;
Amendment 611 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
62. Notes that the competent authorities do not receive regular feedback from transport companies regarding the data recorded by livestock vehicle devices when they are outside the EU, and is aware that many transporters do not comply with the applicable EU rules after leaving the Union; takes the view that a European IT system for checks and data collection could help the competent authorities to obtain rapid access to all transport data;
Amendment 613 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Paragraph 62 a (new)
62a. Reiterates the importance of not validating journey logs where it is planned to use, for a 24-hour rest period in a third country, facilities that are not equivalent to those in the Union;
Amendment 623 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)
Paragraph 63 a (new)
63a. Alternative strategies
Amendment 630 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 c (new)
Paragraph 63 c (new)
63c. Stresses the importance of developing local or mobile slaughterhouses that are economically viable, close to farms and evenly distributed from a geographical perspective;
Amendment 634 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 d (new)
Paragraph 63 d (new)
63d. Recognises that encouraging short marketing chains and direct sales will reduce long-distance transport;
Amendment 636 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 e (new)
Paragraph 63 e (new)
63e. Stresses the need for the Union, in trade negotiations with third countries, to negotiate with importing countries so that they reduce their customs duties on meat in order to disincentivise the transport of live animals;
Amendment 638 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 f (new)
Paragraph 63 f (new)
63f. Stresses the need for the Union and the Member States to fund equipment for exporting meat or carcasses, in particular refrigeration equipment;