Animal moves deadlock in EU
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by our Brussels correspondent • The European Union deadlock on the number of hours animals can be carried without being fed and watered is unlikely to be broken this week.
When the member states reach an agreement Channel ferry operators will call off their ban on the transport of live animals.
As CM went to press on Tuesday (25 October), agriculture minister William Waldegrave said he was not optimistic the ministers could agree on the limit that day.
But on the same day the German presidency of the EC Council of Ministers tabled an undisclosed compromise on journey time limits.
This is understood to recommend a 15-hour limit followed by a six to eighthour rest break for feeding and watering after which journeys can proceed.
Members including Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and France seem to be against the idea. These countries could form a blocking minority. Southern EU states fear that stricter transport rules will encourage the slaughter of more animals in northern European countries and are sticking to a limit of 22 hours.
Denmark and the Netherlands say 15 hours should be the overall journey limit and Ireland says it needs a journey limit which allows Irish producers to deliver their cattle on the Continent.