EU warning on live export checks

EU - EU farm ministers are being urged to tighten up their checks on live animal exports and comply fully with legislation designed to maintain proper welfare standards.

President of the agriculture council, Fernand Boden, has written to his 24 fellow ministers, reminding them of their responsibilities with regard to granting export subsidies on cattle being shipped to Third countries.

These include the need for an official veterinary check at the point of exit from the EU, another check where there is a change in the means of transport, and a final check at the place of unloading in the country of destination.

New EU laws introduced in 2003 also require the removal of export subsidy on an individual animal if it gives birth during transit, and the withdrawal of subsidy on the entire consignment if over 5% of the cattle die.

Source: FWi

18 April 2005