In the European Union, Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 applies to the transport of animals that takes place within and from the EU in connection with an economic activity. A vast range of animal species are transported within the EU and beyond for commercial activities, but the Transport Regulation does not guarantee effective protection to all of them. The majority of its provisions refer only to the welfare of certain terrestrial farmed animal species: the requirements for the transport of fish, companion animals and equines are less developed; and measures to ensure the welfare of a large group of species transported for scientific purposes are completely absent.

This white paper is Eurogroup for Animals’ response to the European Commission’s stated aims in revising the Transport Regulation: “to align it with the latest scientific evidence, broaden its scope, make it easier to enforce and ultimately ensure a higher level of animal welfare”. As a general principle, the revised Transport Regulation should adhere to the basic principles of reducing, refining and replacing live transport, whenever applicable.

Originally published in 2021, this white paper received an update in 2024 to factor in recent European Food Safety Authority opinions on live transport, the results of the 2023 special Eurobarometer on animal welfare and more.

This updated version also includes a critical analysis of the European Commission’s recent proposal for a revised regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.

In 2016, the World Organisation for Animal Health stated that 101 out of 116 surveyed countries had reported having major animal disease outbreaks since the year 2000. Over 350 outbreaks were reported, with over a quarter being avian influenza.

This report is an analysis of scientific studies and reports on the impacts of avian influenza and other notable zoonoses on society. It explores the link between low animal welfare standards and public health - highlighting how the financial and societal impacts of these outbreaks should not be ignored - and outlines the steps that need to be taken to prevent the ongoing infectious disease crisis affecting both animals and humans.

This White Paper details part of Eurogroup for Animals’ response to the outdated animal welfare legislation, which includes the Council Regulation 1099/2009 (Slaughter Regulation). The Slaughter Regulation entered into force in 2013 and, already at that time, the co-legislators stressed that, as scientific and technical progress is regularly made with regard to the construction, layout, and equipment of slaughterhouses, and with regard to the handling and restraining of animals, it was important to authorise the European Commission to amend the requirements applicable in these regards.

Eurogroup for Animals believes that a comprehensive approach is needed to ensure that the equipment used and procedures followed in slaughterhouses do not cause unnecessary fear, pain and distress to farmed animals.

A cache of unpublished records obtained in summer 2023 reveals disturbing new evidence on the extent and nature of the EU’s trade in farm animals.

The data comprises official planning records relating to more than 180,000 consignments of animals, moving between EU countries and to non-EU countries between October 2021 – April 2023. It clearly shows that the rules for live transport are not robust or detailed enough to truly protect the welfare of animals in the sector.

A joint report by Eurogroup for Animals and Compassion in World Farming.