The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is gathering the views of stakeholders on the welfare of animals during transport in the EU.

The EFSA is in the early stages of a scientific assessment of the matter, an assessment that will support the European Commission's current review of animal welfare legislation.

Nikolaus Kriz, head of EFSA’s Animal and Plant Health Unit, explained: "We decided to hold an early consultation to ensure that our work is based on the widest evidence base possible.

“A successful public consultation is important not just for EFSA, but for all those who want to strengthen the standards of animal welfare in the EU using the most up to date scientific knowledge.”

The scientific opinion, which is expected to be finalised in the second half of 2022, will identify the hazards and welfare consequences of common transport practices - such as roll-on/roll-off ferries, road and air - for six groups of animals: Equids (horses, donkeys); bovines (cattle and calves); small ruminants (sheep and goats); pigs; domestic birds (chickens, laying hens, turkeys); and rabbits.

Within the framework of the Farm to Fork strategy, the EFSA’s findings will support the update of policies aimed at safeguarding the welfare of transported animals in the EU.

The consultation will remain open for eight weeks, closing on June 10.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government announced this week that the export of livestock by sea will cease following a transition period of up to two years.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said that “at the heart” of the decision is upholding New Zealand’s “reputation for high standards of animal welfare”.

“We must stay ahead of the curve in a world where animal welfare is under increasing scrutiny,” the minister said.

Live exports by sea represent approximately 0.2% of New Zealand’s primary sector exports revenue since 2015.

The minister said that while he acknowledges the economic benefit some farmers get from the trade, he notes that support of it “is not universal within the sector”.