The Danish government is negotiating new regulations for the transport of live marine animals within the European Union. The Danish Shipping Association believes that improving animal welfare should go hand in hand with increasing safety standards at sea and creating a level playing field for all animal transport vessels in the European Union.
Importance of Safety Standards
The aim of these new regulations is to enhance animal welfare, prevent accidents, ensure fair competition, and help promote international standards for the transport of live animals. Nina Porst, Executive Director of the Sustainable Shipping and Skills Division at the Danish Shipping Association, stated: "Transporting live animals carries a specific responsibility. Therefore, it makes sense to set high standards for vessels and their equipment. Our members are currently adhering to these standards, and now we want these standards to be more widely applied to all animal transport vessels to the European Union. These safety standards should be mandatory for all vessels allowed to operate from European ports."
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Status of EU Proposals
Three years after the European Commission proposed new regulations regarding the transport of live animals, this proposal is still under review in the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. These regulations will improve animal welfare and enhance the safety of sailors. A study in 2025 conducted by the European Parliament's Research Service identified ongoing issues that may affect animal welfare and highlighted challenges related to the enforcement of regulations and inspections in some member states.
Together with European shipowners, the Danish Shipping Association has proposed strengthening the requirements for the approval of vessels transporting live animals. One of the main demands is that all vessels authorized to transport live animals from the European Union must adhere to high and comparable standards for the vessel and its equipment, regardless of the flag they fly.
Ultimately, Nina Porst emphasized that: "Simply put, we want non-EU vessels to undergo the same inspection and approval process as EU vessels. This will enhance animal welfare and increase the safety of sailors. Improving vessel safety also means better protection for the environment. The new regulations should ensure a level playing field for all operators."
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