Transportation and slaughter of live animals outside the EU
17.12.2014
Question for written answer E-010843-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nicola Caputo (S&D)
The transportation of live animals and conditions of slaughter encountered by animals in Italy and other EU Member States are covered by rules and cruelty restrictions imposed in European legislation.
The fate awaiting the 3 000 000 European animals a year ‘exported’ to slaughterhouses in Middle Eastern countries is beyond EU control. There is in fact documentary evidence that, notwithstanding the bans imposed by the OIE [World Organisation for Animal Health], such animals are slaughtered using methods of absolute cruelty.
Furthermore, in spite of a European campaign to impose an 8-hour limit on the duration of these ‘journeys of death’, no result has yet been achieved.
All slaughterhouses are, by definition, places of ‘final processing’ and incorporate the ‘end-of-life’ concept. However, Middle Eastern slaughterhouses impose no restrictions to prevent cruelty. A ban on the transportation of live animals to third countries, and their substitution with exported frozen meat, would bring about improved conditions of transportation and slaughter.
In the light of the above, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.Does it intend to take concrete and urgent measures to prohibit the transportation of live animals from Europe to third countries?
- 2.Does it intend to raise awareness in such countries with a view to the harmonisation of their legislation in this matter with European legislation?