On many occasions, animal welfare organisations and FVO reports have pointed out deficiencies in the implementation and enforcement of EU Regulation (EC) No 1/2005(1) on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.

Practical experience and new scientific knowledge have demonstrated that this regulation needed to be revised. The former Commissioner, Mr Kyprianou, had several times, on behalf of the Commission, expressed his intention to have this revision done in 2009 instead of 2011 as originally scheduled.

The procedure of revision has already started and a first meeting of the Working Group — of the Advisory Group on the Food Chain Animal and Plant Health — on Animal Transport, took place in Brussels on 3 March.

Could the Commission confirm that there will be a proposal for revision of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 to the Council and the Parliament in 2009 at the latest?

Could the Commission confirm that, as was Mr Kyprianu’s opinion, the transport of animals for slaughter should be limited as far as possible?

Could the Commission confirm that the main objective of this revision will be to ensure that, during all transport, high standards of animal welfare are respected, irrespective of species, age, physiological status, distance or climate, through a clear determination of journey times, space allowances and temperature limits?

(1) OJ L 3, 5.1.2005, p. 1.