Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said that today’s results on the ANIT Recommendations vote were a decisive victory for common sense.
“Both compromises that I proposed on the issues of pregnant and unweaned animals were carried by the Parliament this morning, and a very concerning amendment attempting to limit journey times to eight hours was also defeated.
“Today, common sense prevailed. From the very outset, I set out clearly that it is possible to have high animal transport standards and allow the continuation of ordinary farm life across Europe.
“MEPs from across all political groupings realised that taking an extremist view on this issue would not make good policy.
“Over the last number of weeks, I have worked hard to bring MEPs with me on this issue, by appealing to reason and to logic, and to the idea that rural communities and farm families must be supported, and that this belief can co-exist with high animal welfare standards.
“I do hope now that when the Commission makes its proposal for a new regulation, it will take into account the very clear view of the parliament that we can be ambitious and yet realistic,” concluded Kelleher.
