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Nicholson welcomes shelving of Commission plans for new animal welfare legislation

Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed the news that the European Commission's proposals for controversial new animal welfare legislation to update the existing rules (Animal Transport Regulation No 1/2005) have been shelved for the meantime after considerable opposition was expressed about the negative impact the proposals would have for many livestock farmers.

Speaking from Strasbourg Mr Nicholson said,

"I am extremely relieved that these proposals have been taken off the table but have been around long enough to know that this is probably not the end of the matter.

"The UK currently implements animal welfare legislation to the highest possible standard but the problem is other Member States who do not and so in trying to tighten up implementation in those Member States who don't comply with the European Commission is penalising everyone.

"The legislation would have proposed stricter limits on transport times, particularly for animals going for slaughter and further fattening but the further red tape that would have been introduced under these proposals would have further undermined our livestock farmers.

"Commissioner Vassiliou and her Commission DG are already responsible for the introduction of costly proposals for sheep EID and so I am glad that for once she has seen common sense and withdrawn these proposals for the meantime. As I understand it, considerable opposition from the Irish Government helped to postpone the Commission's plans as Europe tries to provide as many sweeteners for the Irish as is possible before the vote there on the Lisbon Treaty next month."