Source: European Parliament
16.10.2024
Question for written answer E-002112/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anja Hazekamp (The Left)
Two shocking incidents of animal cruelty have recently been observed during the transport of animals in Austria.
During the export of pregnant animals from Austria, footage on the Bulgarian-Turkish border shows a calf being cut out of a pregnant, dead cow, following which the calf is thrown on to the blood-drenched ground, while shaking violently[1]. Other footage shows animals unable to stand upright due to illness or exhaustion being brutally dragged from a vehicle by their front legs.[2]
An overloaded truck carrying 142 calves was also stopped in Austria. A veterinarian on site confirmed that this transport from the Netherlands should never have taken place because the transport documents were not in order, the duration of the transport and the planned rest breaks were not respected and the water system for the animals was inadequate[3].
- 1.Can the Commission outline its views on the mistreatment of calves during these transports?
- 2.What action and sanctions has the Commission already taken against the relevant authorities in the Member States concerned for a flagrant infringement of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005?
- 3.Does the Commission consider serious cruelty to animals to be reason enough to suspend the transport of live animals from Austria?
Submitted: 16.10.2024