Currently, matters relating to the transport of animals are regulated by the provisions of Regulation 1/2005 and the Act of August 1997 on the protection of animals. In December 2023, the European Commission published a proposal for a new regulation on the protection of animals during transport, which is part of the "From Farm to Fork" strategy.
The most important proposed changes include:
- limited transport time and more rest breaks
- increasing available space
- improving conditions for the export of animals outside the EU
- permissible temperatures during transport
The position adopted by Donald Tusk's government on March 1, 2024 notes that higher requirements for animal transport will translate into higher costs. This, in turn, will be passed on to farmers and will lead to a decrease in the profitability of production. The proposed changes may also lead to lower price accessibility of animal products for consumers and will negatively affect the market in terms of freedom to conduct business activity.
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Cattle purchase prices quite stable, but limited business activity
The changes will increase costs, not animal welfare
Breeders are of the opinion that the current regulations on animal transport are sufficient. They should only be enforced with full determination. Tightening them will not improve animal welfare but will only increase costs, including environmental costs, extend transport times and in no way improve welfare, and in many cases quite the opposite.
– In turn, the introduction of a ban on the transport of calves under five weeks of age means that breeders will need additional money for investments, because they have to keep these animals somewhere until they reach the age accepted for transport – explains Jacek Zarzecki, President of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers.
In its opinion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that under the regulations proposed by the EC, transport companies will have 5 years to adapt to some of the new measures requiring long-term planning and investment. For entrepreneurs in this sector, this will mean the need to replace vehicles or modernize them to provide more space per animal.
– We welcome the government's position that some provisions of the draft EU regulation seem to be too ambitious or difficult to apply and enforce, and therefore further work on this regulation is necessary in order to develop optimal solutions for all Member States, says Jerzy Wierzbicki, President of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Producers.
