Despite protests from about ten EU countries, EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides remains committed to her proposal to expand and modernize the European animal welfare policy.
Eight countries threaten to block a ban on long-distance livestock transport because it endangers their exports to the Middle East and North Africa. However, other EU countries, including the Netherlands, support Kyriakides. The European Parliament also advocates for more and better animal welfare in many areas.
Eight EU countries, led by Portugal, argued that the revision’s starting point should be to both maintain exports and improve animal welfare. These eight countries represent 37 percent of the EU population, so supporters risk not reaching the 65 percent needed for a qualified majority.
The note prepared by Portugal on behalf of the French, Greek, Irish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Spanish delegations was discussed last Monday in the Agriculture Council and was fiercely opposed by several other countries. Reportedly, the Netherlands was the loudest opponent, and Minister Adema called for a straightforward ban on live exports.
Moreover, the Netherlands and Denmark noted that too many cases of animal suffering have demonstrated that transport of livestock to third countries must be avoided and that animal-friendly alternatives are needed. Afterward, Minister Adema told Dutch reporters that transporting meat would be a much better alternative.
“If science and experience tell us that certain transport practices are harmful to the welfare and health of animals, then I believe we must find ways to adapt those practices. Doing nothing is not an option,” said Commissioner Kyriakides.
Transporting animals is an essential part of the revision process and has high priority. While farmers are supported in transitioning to new systems, the welfare of the animals must be guaranteed, she added.