Animal transport in the Suez Canal
5.4.2021
Question for written answer E-001825/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Emma Wiesner (Renew)
Recently reports have been coming in thick and fast of live animals being transported in appalling conditions on a regular basis to or from the EU. It is clear that no account is being taken of animal welfare and that relevant EU legislation is being ignored.
Some 16 vessels with live animals on board were stuck in the recent logjam in the Suez Canal, 11 of which departed from the EU, meaning that they were subject to EU legislation. It is clear from all these cases that the vessels in question have none of the emergency-preparedness procedures in place as required under EU legislation. What is more, the temperature on the ships concerned was above 60°C, which is in itself a breach of the legislation.
The logjam in the Suez Canal was a disaster for world trade, but it is also a disaster for the 200 000 animals who are now at risk of starvation during their journey in sweltering heat. This is unacceptable.
Romania, the EU Member State from which the vessels departed, has failed to comply with EU law. Something must be done about this.
- 1.Is the Commission going to insist that Romania take responsibility for these proven cases involving animal transport?
- 2.Is the Commission going to insist on full transparency from Romania in its actions?
- 3.Is the Commission going to take Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union if the country is shown to have breached EU animal welfare legislation?