Animal Transport

EU Council Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport should protect the animals during short- and long-distance transport within the European Union and also until the place of destination in third countries. The latter was confirmed by the Court of Justice of the European Union in April 2015. Despite the fact that Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty recognises animals as sentient beings, many of the animals being sent from EU Member States to Turkey are transported in ways that are in breach of Council Regulation 1/2005. Some of the most common stress factors for the animals on this route are the lack of water, feed and rest, overcrowding, insufficient headroom, temperatures in excess of the maximum permitted temperatures of 30°C and the use of transport vehicles that compromise their welfare. We documented animals that were stressed, weak, dehydrated, hungry or injured. Others simply were not able to cope with these factors and died.

The competent authorities thus completely fail to look at the entire picture. They just hide behind excuses that on paper all the measures seemed to be satisfactory. They are working in a completely theoretical world, ignoring the practical realities experienced on the ground during these long journeys. As a result, the correct interpretation and the essence of the legislative requirements of Regulation 1/2005 are completely neglected.

The Commission’s inability to secure proper enforcement by the Member States of Regulation 1/2005 amounts to a failure to discharge its duties as Guardian of the Treaties. The failure by the Member States and the Commission (i) to secure compliance with Regulation 1/2005 and (ii) to suspend the trade in light of the widespread law breaking and animal suffering is in breach of Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.  This requires the Member States and the Commission, in formulating and implementing EU policies on agriculture and transport, to “pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals”.

TSB|AWF and Eyes on Animals are calling upon the EU Commission and the Member States to terminate the export of live animals to Turkey.  (the whole text see our dossier)

Turkey:

Dossier 2016: The Doomed Journey - The failure of the Industry, Member States and EU to protect animals en route to TurkeyDoomed Journey Part I(Link to film)

Dossier 2016:The Doomed Journey - The failure of the Industry, Member States and EU to protect animals en route to TurkeyDoomed Journey Part II(Link to film)

Calf and lamb transports 

Dossier 2016:  The victims of the dairy industry: LONG DISTANCE TRANSPORT OF UNWEANED CALVES AND LAMBS (Link to film)