§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with European Union colleagues regarding a European agreement on animal rights and treatment during transport; [100553]
(2) what measures are in place to ensure that (a) the treatment of animals in transport is humane and that (b) animal rights are protected. [100552]
§ Mr. MorleyThe 1997 Protocol to the Treaty of Rome recognises animals as sentient beings. As a result the European Union and member states must pay full, regard to animal welfare in formulating and implementing policy on agriculture, transport, the internal market and research.
Animal welfare during transport is governed by directive 91/628/EEC, as amended, and implemented in Great Britain by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, as amended. We have regularly pressed the European Commission to introduce proposals to update and revise the directive. They have indicated that they intend to do so later this year. We look forward to playing a leading part in negotiating a new directive.
We have also had an active role in revising the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport