Protection of animals during transport (amend. direct. 91/628/EEC)

This document presents a report on the experience acquired by Member States since the implementation of Council Directive 95/29/EC amending Directive 91/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport. Council Directive 95/29/EC included an obligation for the Commission to submit a report to the Council on the experience acquired by the Member States since the implementation of the Directive. Three sources of information have been used in drafting this report: - Member States inspection reports; - Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) inspection reports; - Complaints from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The main findings of this report are follows: - Member States have difficulty in fully applying the Directive. The FVO reports points to the low level of priority given by Member States in implementing the Directive; - difficulties in collecting inspection reports from Member States and insufficient harmonisation of the data transmitted limited their use; - the transport of horses from Central and Eastern European Countries to the EU is a particular area of concern. Little long-term improvement has been secured. From a technical point of view the main findings are the following: - inadequate road vehicles; - illegal route plans and non-compliance with travelling time limits; - negligence and poor handling of animals; - transport of unfit animals; - insufficient ventilation on road vehicles.�