Satellite Navigation Systems for long journey transport of livestock

According to Commission legislation, navigation (position locating) systems are obligatory in road vehicles transporting livestock over 8 hours (long journey transports).
These requirements apply to new vehicles since 1 January 2007 and to all vehicles from 1 January 2009.
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) supports with a project in the frame of an administrative arrangement Directorate General for Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) in establishing an effective navigation system, including the necessary information collection and communication system. The project started in 2005 and is planned to finish in December 2007. In the first project phase, JRC:

• Drew up draft Technical Specification;
• Consulted competent authorities for animal welfare and a broad range of possible stakeholders, such as animal welfare organizations, livestock transport and trade organizations, manufacturers in an international workshop;
• provided an impact assessment on the introduction of satellite navigation systems in long journey animal transports.

In the second project phase the JRC will draw up scenarios on how a navigation system conforming to the Technical Specifications could be used to step up the effectiveness of animal welfare controls, taking into account the results from the previous project phase.

On the basis of the scenarios described, such a satellite navigation system will be tested under field conditions. On basis of Regulation (EC) 1/2005 and experience from the above project the Commission is preparing legislation on the functional requirements of satellite navigation systems.

Study on Temperature during Animal Transport (STAT) (in the framework of the Administrative Arrangement between DG SANCO and JRC)

Temperature standards apply in the EU to long journey transports of horses, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats since 1998. Actually, a temperature range from 5°C to 30°C with a ± 5°C tolerance is applicable as laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.

Two scientific opinions on temperature standards for the transport of animals, adopted in 1999 and 2004, proposed different temperature ranges in respect of different categories of animals. However, very little data was available regarding the temperatures livestock is normally exposed to during commercial long journey transports throughout Europe.

JRC started in 2008 with a study to compare the temperature standards in force and the standards proposed by scientists with the actual practices of commercial transport in the EU.

With recordings over the period of one year (from February 2008 until February 2009) the study will provide a realistic picture about the temperatures experienced in animal transports along the most important trade flows and climatic conditions in Europe. It will also allows to identify the possible gaps and negative consequences of the existing practices and trade flows.

This report shows the results for the time from February 2008 until March 2009.