Transport of animals slammed
Greece is set to appear before the European Court of Justice after Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said yesterday that the country has made little progress in improving the conditions in which farm animals are transported. Brussels has been pressuring Greece since 1998 to ensure better treatment for livestock when animals are moved around the country. But recent checks by EU officials found that animals are still being transported in conditions that do not meet EU regulations. This year the EU began implementing a rule that says animals must be transported in a way that does not cause them injury or suffering. This means that those transporting the livestock must not make unnecessarily long journeys with the animals and must ensure the animals have proper food and water. The vehicle as well as the facilities where the animals are loaded and unloaded must also be designed to avoid injury and suffering. Checks revealed that Greek ports do not have the proper facilities to transport animals by sea.
