RSPCA calls for EU to protect farm animals

Wednesday, 14 May 2003 12:00 AM

The RSPCA today called on the Government to push for tougher EU laws on the movement of farm animals.

Undercover officers for the animal welfare charity have revealed appalling abuses of livestock during transportation, including sheep that were not fed for six days, several ewes having to give birth en route, and a calf that was forced into a container underneath a lorry.

The RSPCA also stresses that as well as enforcing the current laws more rigorously, new legislation has to be developed which is more in line with current research on animal welfare.

The charity's report, 'Standing Room Only', was delivered to Defra yesterday, in a bid to influence the Government's input to the European Commission as it undertakes its long overdue review of the current laws.

Dr. Julia Wrathall from the RSPCA's farm animal department commented: "There's plenty of scientific evidence showing us what animals need if they're going to be protected during transport. The problem is that the law is a bit of a fudge."

Her department has highlighted several areas where change is urgently needed:
- the limit on the length of time animals can be transported before they are allowed to stop for food, water, and rest should be decreased from 30 hours to just eight;
- as many animals as possible should be slaughtered near their farm of origin, rather than travelling long distances just to maximise profits;
- animals should be given more space so they can lie down;
- and the permissible temperature for animal containers should be reduced from its current level of 35 degrees centigrade.

The UK's Road Haulage Association has claimed that it would be "very surprised" if any breach of the rules took place in the UK, particularly after the strict enforcement of new legalisation in the aftermath of the foot and mouth outbreak.

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