14. We consider that the
following raises questions of political importance, but make no
recommendation for its further consideration at this stage:-
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
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(17808)
12986/96
COM(96)708
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- A proposal for a Council decision concerning minimum requirements for certain staging points; and
- A proposal for a Council decision amending the annex of Directive 91/628/EEC, concerning the routeplan.
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Legal base:
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Article 43; qualified majority voting.
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Background
14.1 The adoption of
measures relating to the welfare of animals during transport has
been a protracted process on which we have reported on a number
of times[44].
The Directive includes maximum journey times that animals should
be allowed to travel without being unloaded, fed and watered and
rested for 24 hours before a further period of travel. The changes
were due to be implemented by 31 December 1996, but the Commission
has not yet brought forward detailed proposals for transport standards.
The proposals now before us set out criteria for the construction
and operation of staging points and for the routeplan to record
stocks at staging points.
The Commission proposal
14.2 The Commission proposal
on staging points sets out requirements on structure, feeding,
watering, loading, unloading and housing appropriate to the animals
being transported, together with the health requirements for disease
control to be enforced at staging points. The second proposal
amends the current routeplan requirements to provide for effective
enforcement of the rules on staging points, including the proper
recording of stops made. It takes account of recommendations
by the Scientific and Veterinary Committee.
The Government's view
14.3 In her Explanatory
Memorandum of 27 January, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mrs Browning) emphasises the
need for the proposals to be put into effect, because a number
of key Member States are holding back from their obligation to
implement the new Community rules on the transportation of animals.
She points out, however, that one particular problem has not
been solved. This relates to the export of high health status
breeding pigs, which is worth some £21 million per annum
to the UK. It is important that such pigs are not exposed to
disease in the course of travel. The vehicles in which they are
moved are provided with all necessary water and feed, and the
animals rest on board with stock intensities well below normal
levels because of their high value of the pigs and the need to
maintain the high health status. The Government's view is that
the proposal should take into account the dangers to health of
requiring such pigs to be unloaded for a period of rest
as this could expose them to disease organisms. The need
for rest is not an issue; the unloading of the pigs is the problem.
14.4 Staging points are
to be established by the Member States through which the animals
are passing. In the UK staging points might be needed only for
animals in transit through the UK, for example, from Ireland.
The cost will fall on the transporters of animals. The Government
will submit a Compliance Cost Assessment to us shortly.
14.5 The Minister tells
us that the Dutch Presidency has indicated that it is giving priority
to the proposals, and that it aims to have them adopted at the
21-22 April Agriculture Council.
Conclusion
14.6 The fact that
the Commission has not yet brought forward proposals on standards
for means of transport, which should have been implemented by
the end of 1996, is clearly a matter of concern. We would be
grateful if the Department could let us know any other elements
in the welfare package which have not yet been put forward by
the Commission. We need to have the Compliance Cost Assessment,
both on the setting up of staging points and also on the potential
cost to the high health status pig industry if the proposals are
not to be amended. We would like to know whether other countries
are faced with similar difficulties, or whether the need for staging
arises because of the longer distances to be travelled by pigs
from the United Kingdom. Until we receive this further information,
we are not clearing the proposals.
44 Directive 91/628/EEC as amended by Directive 95/29/EC. For the most recent changes, see (15520) 8128/95; see HC 48-xvi (1993-94), paragraph 7 (19 October 1994). See also Official Report, European Standing Committee A, 1 November 1994. Back
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