- Gestating animals in last trimester not allowed to be transported -
- Kelleher to table alternatives to stop Green proposals at full plenary session -
“This is a shocking decision and an unmitigated disaster for Irish agriculture,” said Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher following the passage of a set of recommendations that would end the transport of unweaned animals from Ireland and kill off an industry that employs thousands of people.
Kelleher, a full member of the committee, and the spokesperson for his group, Renew Europe, on this file, was speaking after alternative proposals from the Green MEPs were passed by the slimmest of margins: 16-15. It is now expected that the Committee will vote in favour of the full report and recommendations this evening.
“Two amendments were passed which called for a ban on the transport of pregnant animals in the last third of gestation and time limits of two hours for unweaned animals older than 35 days and a ban on all transport under 35 days.
“Quite simply, if adopted by the full Parliament and taken on board by the Commission when drawing up the new regulation, it would sound a death knell for thousands of jobs in rural Ireland.
“Throughout this process, I advocated and supported compromise positions that reflected the need to increase animal welfare standards during transport and the need to protect livelihoods in rural communities.
“The Green proposals have driven a coach and four through the very fabric of rural Ireland with these proposals.
“If Irish farmers and transporters are banned from transporting calves to mainland Europe, it will be an attack on the principles underpinning the European Single Market.
“When this issue comes up for debate next month at the full plenary session of the Parliament, I will table alternative proposals which reflect my belief that it is possible to transport live animals and maintain their wellbeing. I do not believe it is an either-or scenario,” concluded Kelleher.