EU revamps animal rep
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• A shake-up of the European Union's rules on the international transport of live animals is expected to be tabled this spring, after a European Commission report found that existing regulations were poorly understood and often flouted by hauliers, vets and Customs officials.
Brussels Consumer Affairs Commissioner David Byrne says the regulations will be simplified and legal action will be taken against member states who fail to enforce them, with the aim of "frogmarching the transport sector into line".
He adds: "The Commission will not tolerate these shortcomings. Where necessary, we will make the legislation's requirements clearer and more precise.'
The EC report claims: "During cross-border longdistance transport, animals are often subject to brutalities and improper care and handling, or are unfit to be transported in the first place." lt adds that rules on prior approval of route plans and on maximum travel times for animals are not respected. Remedial action from member states' inspectors is rare and 41 certain countries enforcement of animal transport rules appears to have low priority.
It highlights Italy as a country where enforcement is particularly weak, especially with the export of horses out of the EU.
The EC proposals are expected to improve the format of route plans and give clearer and more precise definitions of animals unfit for transport.
Improvements in co-operation between national authorities involved in cross-border transport will also be sought; the EC says it is prepared to take member states which fail to introduce the legislation to the European Court of Justice.