Farmers protest at ‘draconian’ plan by EU to restrict animal transport
IFA members described the proposals as draconian as they protested outside Leinster House in Dublin as EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food on a range of issues.
The live trade involves the export of over 200,000 head of calves and weanlings to Europe and up to 70,000 head of livestock to international markets.
IFA deputy president Ruaidhri Deasy said livestock exports provided vital market outlets for Irish farmers, giving access to higher prices available for stock on the continent.
The EU proposals abolishing staging points and forcing animals to be kept on stationary trucks for 12 hours after nine hours travel would cause them unnecessary stress, he said.
IFA Livestock Committee chairman Derek Deane said studies by Teagasc in Grange, Co Meath, had proven that there was no adverse impact on animal welfare in long-distance transport, provided proper conditions were observed.
Teagasc also showed that lower stocking densities, as proposed by the EU, would not give any additional animal welfare benefits.
The use of staging points was essential for best animal welfare on journeys between Ireland and continental destinations.
Animals benefited greatly from staging points, which allowed stock to be unloaded, watered and rested and which also gave the opportunity to clean and re-bed trucks.
Commissioner Byrne told the Joint Oireachtas Committee that improved animal welfare lay at the heart of the proposal.
But care had also been taken to ensure that the new measure fitted in, as far as possible, with industry practices.
“I appreciate that concerns have been expressed in Ireland and other member states concerning the impact the proposal could have on the transport of live animals, especially over long distances.
“The situation applying to the peripheral regions of Europe has been carefully taken into account, particularly in relation to the maritime transport of animals,” he said.
Commissioner Byrne said specific measures in the proposal concerned the requirements for transport by roll-on-roll-off vessels, which clearly was of particular relevance to Ireland. Time spent on roll-on-roll-off vessels would be considered as resting time for the animals concerned.
“Quite frankly, there is a large body of opinion in member states and in the European Parliament in favour of restricting animal transport to a maximum of eight hours.
“If such a proposal were to be adopted in European legislation, it would have devastating consequences, not just for Ireland, but for trade from many other European countries.
“All of that said, the Commission’s ideas are now on the table of the Council of Ministers for decision and the European Parliament for its advice. Essentially, it is now up to the ministers from the member states to make their voices heard.
“Based on the last full discussion we had in the Council, almost exactly a year ago, this will be no easy task,” he said.
