Live animal transport issues at the Bulgarian-Turkish border

12.10.2016

Question for written answer E-007710-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Maria Noichl (S&D)

On 16 May 2016 the Commission received a formal complaint from the law firm Conte & Giacomini on behalf of the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) against Hungary, Bulgaria, France, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy and Greece for failing to monitor the correct application of the provisions of (EC) Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.

At the end of June, the Director for Crisis Management at DG SANTE reacted to this formal complaint by sending a letter to the EU Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) and EU transporters highlighting the concerns about the transport conditions of live animals to third countries.

However, this letter has had no effect. Compelling new investigations carried out by the AWF and reports by Animals’ Angels show evidence that the situation is deteriorating and that infringements of Regulation 1/2005 regularly occur. In August 2016, delays at the Bulgarian border were still being reported, with animals waiting in trucks for 41 hours.

How does the Commission intend to address this problem?