"Thousands of kilometers in atrocious conditions": Brigitte Bardot is outraged by the transport conditions of farm animals
In an open letter addressed to the Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard, the former actress denounces the undignified transport conditions of farm animals in Europe.
"You have probably not forgotten the tragic incidents that took place last October on the border between Bulgaria and Turkey," Brigitte Bardot introduced in an open letter to the Minister of Agriculture , asking her to take action to ensure decent conditions for transporting animals on European roads. "47 live heifers from Romania [...] spent 13 days trapped in a truck, in nightmarish conditions, without water or food, to finally be slaughtered in Turkey," she explained in a letter, sent on the occasion of the Agricultural Show .
The president of the foundation bearing her name denounces " a life of misery and atrocious suffering " for these animals. "The current transport times for live animals can last up to several days, even weeks, depending on the destination!" Brigitte Bardot rages.
"Cows, pigs, sheep, lambs, calves, barely 15 days old, leave France to be fattened in Italy or Spain and then leave again to be slaughtered in a distant country. They travel thousands of kilometers in atrocious conditions (too cold, too hot, difficult access to water, to food) to end up at the slaughterhouse , " she adds.
This request comes as the European Commission announced in 2020 the revision of texts relating to the welfare of farm animals, in particular the regulation on the conditions of transport of animals, which dates from 2005. Brigitte Bardot therefore wishes to obtain from the minister the guarantee "that this revision will effectively improve the transport conditions of billions of animals" .
Today, for journeys of more than 65 kilometres, drivers who transport livestock must hold prior authorisation, the "certificate of competence of drivers and conveyors". The texts in force provide for a maximum transport time depending on the species. For example, for calves and lambs it is two times 9 hours with a one-hour break in the middle of the journey. For cattle, it is two times 14 hours with a one-hour break. And for pigs, it is 24 hours, but with water accessible at all times.
Transporting animals without permission can be punished with a maximum fine of 3,000 euros and 6 months in prison.
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