MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the transport of live animals and ritual slaughter

B9‑0449/2020

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the transport of live animals and ritual slaughter

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97[1], Article 14(1), and Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing[2], Article 4(4),

– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas in 2018, trade in live animals with third countries was worth around EUR 3 billion[3], whereas the trade in live animals involves harsh conditions, with, for example, 14 600 sheep dying on their way to Saudi Arabia in 2019[4], and whereas the enforcement of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 is still patchy, leading to unfair competition in the EU;

B. whereas these exports involve countries that practise ritual slaughter, which, according to the European Food Safety Authority, causes the animals ‘pain, fear and distress’[5];

1. Notes the ban announced by the UK on the export of live animals and calls for a transition to a carcass trade[6];

2. Welcomes the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Case C-336/19[7] and encourages Member States to impose reversible stunning for ritual slaughter;

3. Calls on the Commission to lay down conditions for the slaughter and transport of animals in bilateral agreements, and measures for transport outside the EU (geolocation, etc.);

4. Recalls the CJEU judgment in Case C-424/13[8].