COVID-19 crisis: MEPs ask to restrict the transport of live farm animals

24 Mar 2020
On Monday 23 March, 42 Members of the Animal Welfare Intergroup sent a letter to the Commission and the Council expressing their concern over the increased animal welfare and public health risks linked to cross-border transport of live animals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

They called on the Commission and the Council to urgently adopt the following measures:

  • Suspending all exports by land and by sea of live farm animals to non-EU countries.
  • Suspending all transport of live farm animals on journeys over 8 hours between Member States.
  • Ensuring rapid communication between Chief Veterinary Officers and National Contact Points to help livestock organisers avoid border crossings with long queues or refusal of entry by certain countries.

Here is a link to the letter