Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said he is “one step closer to getting rid of the impracticable and damaging proposals” on pregnant and unweaned animals from the ANIT recommendation.
He made the remark following his success at convincing his Renew Europe colleagues to table alternative amendments this week.
Following what he described as “exhaustive” negotiations with colleagues from over 20 Member States, he secured support for the re-tabling of the original compromises on these two topics from his colleagues in Renew Europe.
Additionally, he confirmed that the EPP and the S&D groups will also re-table the original compromises.
Last week, he said the next fortnight would be “crucial” to protect live animal exports.
ANIT recommendation
“While the support of every MEP in each of our three groups is not guaranteed, it is a positive sign that groups representing a majority in the parliament have agreed to re-table these sensible, yet pro-animal welfare, amendments,” he said.
“This will be a difficult vote next week. Parliament is split 50:50 on this issue. While the outcome cannot be certain, this week’s decision of the three groups to re-table the more sensible proposals is an important step.”
“There are those in the green-left and animal rights movements who are attempting to characterise my proposals as being bad for animal welfare.”
Taken in the round with the rest of the recommendations, he said they represent a “dramatic shift” in favour of improving animal welfare during transport.
“Crucially, they do not inhibit the rights of farmers and exporters to transport animals to different markets,” he said.
Vote in Parliament
The vote on these proposals, plus several other amendments, will take place on Thursday, January 20th, when the Parliament convenes in Strasbourg.
Between now and then, he confirmed that he will work to “convince” more MEPs, especially Irish colleagues, to vote for proposals that “improve standards and allow the industry to continue”.
“No Irish MEP should be voting to keep the extreme proposals that I am opposing in the final set of recommendations,” he concluded.
