Published 02/10/2007

A new and shocking film "Forbidden Journeys" shows that the EU is not doing enough to protect the health and welfare of animals in transport.

Forbidden Journeys

This video contains distressing scenes of animal abuse.

Forbidden Journeys

The film presented in Brussels by Compassion in World Farming, Animals Angels and Eurogroup illustrates what is happening on the roads, based on concrete evidence from the field and inspection reports. It depicts illegal practices such as injured animals lifted by cranes or pushed by Caterpillars, and frequent beating of exhausted animals.

Although the EU's newly launched Animal Health Strategy 2007-2013 makes the commitment to protect the health of animals through good welfare, it fails to address the well-documented risk of animal movements in the EU. It also ignores the massive scientific evidence linking transport with poor welfare and disease.

Our three groups are calling on the EU Commission and Member States to limit both the number and the length farm animal are transported in the EU and to rigorously enforce the existing rules.

Over six million farm animals are transported over huge distances across Europe each year. Packed into overcrowded trucks, animals often suffer terribly during these long journeys from heat, thirst and exhaustion. Many Member States fail to enforce EU legislation designed to safeguard the welfare of animals during transport.

This inhumane trade must be ended - animals should be slaughtered near to the farm of rearing; the meat can then be transported to wherever it is wanted.