According to the Eurobarometer, animal welfare is important to most Europeans

Protecting animal welfare is “essential” for eight out of ten Europeans, Eurobarometer survey results show.

84% of Europeans believe that farm animals have welfare should be protected better than now in their country, and a similar number (83%) help limit animal transport time.

In the case of Spain, the figures are similar to the EU average, as 80% of those surveyed believe farm animals should be protected “better”, 83% believe they should. Limit the travel time of live animalsAnd 74% also believe that pets should be protected more, according to the portal efeverde.com

Over 90% of Europeans believe that agricultural and breeding practices should be followed”Basic moral requirements

“, such as ensuring animals have enough space, food and water, an environment suited to their needs (mud, straw, etc.) and “proper handling”. (Read in With reference to livestock: Animal Welfare, Best Companion to Livestock Production)

Eurobarometer also expressed high levels of concern about this Animal welfare in slaughterhousesBecause three-quarters of respondents considered the practice of killing male cubs after birth “unacceptable”.

For their part, in Spain, 87% of those surveyed expressed high concern for animals in slaughterhouses, which is only one point different from the EU average (88%).

With respect to Import of food Coming from non-EU countries, 84% of Europeans believe that the current situation for animals “must change”, either by applying EU animal welfare standards to food imports or by labeling food according to the applicable standards. (Read in With reference to livestock: 7 Important Aspects of Animal Welfare)

60% of respondents indicated that they would be Willing to pay more For products from animal-friendly agricultural systems.

A new law

On 7 December, the European Commission (EC) proposed new legislation Improve conditions of animal transport is in the European Union and represents the biggest European reform in the field of animal welfare in the last two decades and will affect the 1.6 million animals transported to the EU each year.

In the area of ​​animal transport, Brussels focuses on tightening the conditions under which movements can take place temperature, journey duration or vehicle condition, criteria that also depend on the species being transferred and will be adopted for weanling heifers, pregnant females and hens at the end of their production cycle. (Read in With reference to livestock: Follow good practices for transporting livestock in Colombia)

In general, night transport is possible only if the temperature exceeds 30ºC; When they are below 0ºC, road transport vehicles have to be covered and there will be Air circulation control In the compartment in which the animals travel. If the temperature drops below -5ºC, the trip will not last more than nine hours.

These standards, which will apply to pigs, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and horses, also provide for most animals. Trips last a maximum of 21 hours After ten hours with at least one hour of rest; After this period, animals should be able to rest outside the vehicle for 24 hours with food and water. For animals destined for slaughter, the maximum journey will be nine hours.