Industry-led guidelines to assess the fitness of pigs for transport have been welcomed by the European Commission (EC) as a move which will help “ensure a high level of welfare” for transported animals.
Written by EU agri-food, veterinary, road transport and animal welfare stakeholder groups, the new guidelines are the result of two years work by UECBV, Copa and Cogeca, Eurogroup for Animals, Animals’ Angels, FVE, IRU, ELT, INAPORC and Cooper and Arc Atlantique.
“While the role of European legislation is essential in setting out harmonised rules to protect the animals’ welfare, guidelines such as these which explain how these rules should be carried out in practice are crucial,” said the head of the EC’s animal welfare unit, Andrea Gavinelli.
“These joint guidelines will help all those responsible to work together to ensure a high level of welfare of transported animals.”
The guidelines themselves, however, are being kept for viewing only by those who are involved in a “professional” role in the transport of pigs. Such people or organisations can request a copy through UECBV, Europe’s meat trade organisation.
To apply to UECBV email info(at)uecbv.eu
