FVE - Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) emphasises the urgent need to respect the welfare of animals during transport, update the existing legislation and enhance cross-border collaboration. FVE calls for immediate intervention as several incidents took place at the Bulgarian-Turkish border, with cattle being blocked entry in Turkey over disease concerns, and, upon their attempted return into the EU, Bulgarian authorities refusing re-entry. The cows as a result face prolonged deprivation of food, water, and veterinary care – a situation which led to horrific conditions before some passed away while others were killed without stunning. These repeated tragedies highlight systemic failure in cross-border animal transport regulations that are causing severe animal suffering and risking animal welfare standards across the EU.

These cases expose the severe limitations of the EU’s transport rules for live animals, especially in border transport zones where differing regulations and veterinary protocols leave animals vulnerable to neglect. While ongoing legislative efforts are appreciated, current provisions fail to adequately protect animals during transport. FVE reiterates its longstanding call to urgently revise Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 to uphold fundamental animal welfare standards and provide a humane framework for animal transport.

These recommendations stress that animals should be transported as little as possible, advocating for urgent enhancements in the transport regulation, including:

1. Update of Journey Criteria: Any movement inherently introduces stress and health risks, limiting journey duration is essential to preventing suffering, especially in vulnerable animals.
2. Improving Condition Standards: Animals must have improved feeding and watering, rest intervals, sufficient space and proper conditions, including species-specific temperature controls, to maintain welfare throughout transit. Space allowances should be updated based on the latest scientific evidence.
3. Enforcing Veterinary Oversight: Mandatory veterinary presence during loading/unloading of risky transport are critical measures to ensure compliance with welfare standards.
4. Restricting Export to Countries with Known Welfare Standards: In journeys to third countries where welfare cannot be guaranteed, live animal export should be minimized, with a shift toward transporting carcasses or genetic material instead.
5. Harmonising Protocols: Simplify regulatory frameworks, clarify documentation and harmonise sanctioning for consistent enforcement across countries and reduced bureaucratic delays.

FVE acknowledges that such incidents stem from failures not only within EU jurisdiction but also in bilateral enforcement with third countries. Competent authorities must work collaboratively to enforce higher welfare standards and prevent prolonged suffering at border crossings.

FVE wishes to restate that animals should be reared as close as possible to the premises on which they are born and slaughtered as close as possible to the point of production.

FVE strongly urges the European Parliament and Council to prioritise amending Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 to effectively safeguard animal welfare and align with the latest scientific insights, ensuring a humane system for the millions of animals transported annually.

EU legislative proposal on the protection of animals during transport