Mairéad McGuinness, MEP and first Vice-President of the European Parliament, has announced that a committee of inquiry into animal transport inside and outside the EU is expected to get the green light on Friday when MEPs vote to authorize its establishment.
The new committee will be tasked with investigating alleged breaches of EU law regarding the welfare of animals.
McGuiness commented that the trade of live animals is an important market for Irish farmers and it important that the high standards set out by the EU are adhered to.
From 2009 to 2015, the number of animals transported within the EU has increased by 19%, from 1.25 billion to 1.49 billion.
Animal welfare
“In February last year the European Parliament adopted a report on animal welfare calling for better enforcement, sanctions and reduced journey times,” the MEP said.
“To protect animals exported to non-EU countries, MEPs voted for the introduction of bilateral agreements or a ban on the transport of live animals when national standards are not aligned with EU law.”
She said the Parliament’s report recommended that a special inquiry committee be established.
“I would hope to be a member of this inquiry committee and, in that context, I will be stressing that what is needed is full compliance with EU regulations on animal transport.
“It is up to member states to implement the rules and the European Commission to tackle problems with compliance,” she concluded.
