Every year, billions of animals suffer in unacceptable conditions during transport. They endure extreme temperatures, very long journeys, and filthy, overcrowded conditions, resulting in a great deal of suffering, even death. This is a systemic failure, and it has to end.
Journeys can be within Europe, but also much further afield including North Africa and the Middle East, countries that do not share our standards or regulations to protect farm animals.
Ireland has sent hundreds of thousands of unweaned calves on long journeys to Europe, and beyond. As they need milk they cannot be fed during the long 18 ferry journey to France and studies have shown they are deprived of feed for up to 30 hours. This is not only cruel, it’s in breach of legislation, yet the EU Commission does nothing about it.
There are also shipments of cattle every year to countries in North Africa and the Middle East, including countries in conflict. Shipments of pregnant dairy heifers are being sent to Algeris during hot summer months.
Help us change it. Sign our open letter calling on Members of the European Parliament to prioritise key animal welfare measures as they update the EU’s live transport laws.
TAKE ACTION!
Why now?
The EU is currently updating its Transport Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 – its policy governing the welfare of animals during transport. It largely applies to farm animals like pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, and rabbits, but also covers cats and dogs, equines, and more.
These current legislation is over two decades old. It failsl to factor in the latest welfare science, and lack the species-specific standards animals need. This revision should be a turning point – a chance to bring EU law in-line with what we know about animal suffering. Instead, negotiations have not been going well, and as a result, transported animals are at risk of facing even worse suffering.
We must not let this happen! Your signature sends a clear message to decision-makers – European citizens care about transported animals, and they expect this law to improve their welfare, not threaten it further.
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