EEC alarm over animal transport
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THE EEC Commission has expressed concern at possible inadequacies in regulations governing the transport of live animals. But it has admitted that it has neither the money nor the staff to carry out necessary research.
In a background report on cross-border traffic of animals, the Commission points out that, apart from the cruelty involved, damage to animals loses traders millions of pounds because of bruised meat, unnecessary deaths and stress affecting meat quality.
A survey carried out by the UK Meat and Livestock Commission found that out of 10,000 pigs investigated, over 50 per cent had been damaged. In 1979, a study of a consignment of lambs and yearling sheep showed some 10 per cent suffering bruising — resulting in a value loss of LI million.
The report front the Commission paints an unhappy picture of unnecessary hardship resulting from a lack of understanding rather than deliberate cruelty; bad lighting, over-crowding, poor segregation, unsuitable loading ramps and over-liberal use of electric goads.
Much depends on the quality or the transport and the kind of movement the animals have to endure. Much starting and stopping upsets them and prevents them resting; changes in temperature led to a high collapse rate.