MAFF to toughen livestock rules
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• Tougher penalties against lawbreaking livestock hauliers should come into force before the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
An amendment to the Welfare of Animals During Transport regulations will go before Parliament when it resits later this month.
The change will make it possible to prosecute drivers for breaches in UK law even if they are committed abroad (CM 8-14
September). The move comes as Fen-ylink Freight Services plans to launch a daily livestock export service between Sheerness in Kent and Vlissingen in Holland.
However, animal rights activists vowed to continue protesting until the service stops.
If MAFF gives its approval, it will be the first regular substitute for cross-Channel livestock exports following major ferry operators' refusal to take animals for fattening or slaughter until the European Union agrees maximum journey times.
The two Ferrylink ro-ro ferries will carry up to 12 livestock vehicles and operate under a strict code of practice approved by MAFF. • The German parliament has voted to enforce its own rules on the transport of live animals inside Germany if an agreement cannot be reached by the European Union.
A German proposal to implement a maximum eight-hour journey time with obligatory stops for food and water, received support from the northern EU states and animal welfare groups, but was opposed by southern states at a meeting of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers last week.