Export of Live Animals: The FVE Once Again Takes a Stand Against Long-Distance Transport

Each year, more than 3 million animals are exported from the European Union to third countries. With more than 80,000 head of cattle last year, France is the leading European exporter to Turkey. However, after a very long journey, the animals that finally arrive at the Bulgarian-Turkish border* are often stranded in trucks for days before ultimately being slaughtered. When bound for the Middle East, European cattle can spend up to seven days at sea in deplorable conditions. A long-standing opponent of international animal transport, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) is once again sounding the alarm. In light of the unacceptable violation of animal welfare standards, it is calling for an urgent end to the animals’ suffering and taking a stand against these long journeys.   The FVE, concerned by the severity of animal welfare violations observed in livestock transport, is taking action once again and calls for an eventual end to long-distance transport, particularly exports outside the European Union. It emphasizes the urgent need to effectively implement and comply with existing standards to ensure animal welfare during transport. Despite progress in recent years, serious breaches of European regulations continue to be observed, particularly during the export of animals destined for slaughter. Cattle bound for third countries such as Turkey are a prime example. At the Bulgarian-Turkish border, wait times can be extremely long. The animals, most of which have already traveled thousands of kilometers, remain stranded in the vehicles for several days, with no space to rest, trampling in their own excrement. Watering systems are often inadequate or contaminated, and high temperatures both day and night further exacerbate the situation. The lack of veterinary care, water, and food leads to exhaustion in the animals, and even death for some. European veterinarians believe this ordeal cannot continue and that urgent action is needed.

“Animals must be raised as close as possible to their place of birth and slaughtered as close as possible to the place of production.”

  The FVE therefore appeals to the goodwill and pragmatism of all parties involved in animal transport.

• Transporters are urged to plan their journeys carefully, in accordance with the requirements of EU regulation EC 1/2005. It is unacceptable to undertake animal transport over long distances while deliberately taking the risk, from the outset, of ignoring their unsuitability for travel.
• The competent authorities in exporting countries are urged to take responsibility for the uniform and rigorous enforcement of the EU regulation, in order to ensure acceptable health and animal welfare standards during transport. Border control authorities are urged to take concrete measures to reduce, as much as possible, the time required for customs clearance at the border, and to provide appropriate facilities for unloading and caring for animals when necessary.
• Travel organizers and animal transport companies are encouraged to develop a system to coordinate the arrival of trucks at border crossings, for example by establishing an online registration and/or reservation system.
• All stakeholders are urged to limit long-distance livestock transport as much as possible, particularly in the face of severe traffic congestion, extremely high temperatures, or other circumstances incompatible with animal welfare requirements.
• All parties concerned are urged to take their share of responsibility for protecting animal welfare and to do their utmost to prevent the recurrence of recurring problems.

According to the FVE, the most effective way to achieve this is to end the transport of live animals and replace it with the transport of carcasses and products of animal origin: “Animals should be raised as close as possible to their place of birth and slaughtered as close as possible to the place of production.” The federation, which brings together 44 veterinary organizations from 38 European countries—representing a total of approximately 240,000 veterinarians— is also collaborating on the publication of “guides to good and best practices” to improve the animal welfare of animals transported for slaughter, fattening, and breeding within Europe and to third countries. Guidelines will be developed for the transport of cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, and sheep. The project**, funded by the European Commission, began in May 2015 and will conclude at the end of 2018.   * See also the investigation into the plight of animals exported to Turkey, conducted in June 2016 by the organizations CIWF France, Animal Welfare Foundation, Eyes on Animals, and Tierschutzbund Zurich, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnqA0WpUlLw ** Animal Transport Guidelines Project, http://animaltransportguides.eu/about-the-project/