Animal transport regulations agreed
A new compromise presented by council president, Dutch minister Cees Veerman, was accepted by a large majority. A gradual approach is central to the agreement.
Mr Veerman said the drive and rest times and the degree of loading remain unchanged. However, there are improvements in other areas including enforcement and control with the aid of a satellite navigation system.
Stricter requirements for the training of long distance drivers and for the approval of transportations, improved possibilities for national sanctions and sharing responsibility for the welfare of the livestock during transport are also included.
Mr Veerman said not only the transporters but other people in the chain can be held responsible for violations. Conditions are also being laid down for ships and containers in which livestock is transported, for transport around the farm, loading and unloading and direct handling of the animal.
IFA Livestock Committee chairman John Bryan welcomed the agreement and said the issue for Irish agriculture has now moved on to resolving the ferry access problem for the live export trade which will emerge when P&O pull out of the Rosslare/Cherbourg route next month.
The IFA and officials from the Department of the Marine, will today meet a French ferry company in Marseille, who have expressed an interest in a new service.
