Luxembourgish MEP Tilly Metz was invited to comment on the agricultural commission, having published a dramatic report after one year as the head of the Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport.
The European Union must assume its responsibility, but national politics should also listen to the citizen, said Metz. The Minister of Agriculture had not decided on an export ban of animals from Luxembourg to third countries in July, but the government, together with Germany and the Netherlands, had called for a European export ban of live animals from the EU.
The fact that a cow only gives milk when it has a calf is often forgotten. Nor do people talk about the fact that male calves only bring the farmer 10 to 20 euros. But this is exactly the kind of information that is important when it comes to animal transport.
400 calves a week - 20,000 a year - are exported from Luxembourg, but not only to EU countries. In some cases, such as one ordeal to Lebanon in 2019, the journey for these animals can be a few thousand kilometres long. In the meantime, the term "extra-EU" refers only to the UK. Metz deplored the lack of measures both in Luxembourg and other EU member states.
Luxembourg could have used its veto right and played a pioneering role, but this would only have been symbolic, because an export ban to third countries unfortunately only makes sense if it includes the whole of Europe.
Strong EU regulation is a must, in addition to pressure from citizens, says Tilly Metz. The President of the Agriculture Commission, Tess Burton, recalls that Agriculture Minister Romain Schneider, together with Germany and the Netherlands, is in favour of a European export ban.
This is also welcomed by the CSV, who also insist on the fact that Luxembourg needs a change in the slaughter of other creatures, such as poultry. Unfortunately, however, the infrastructure is lacking, says Aly Kaes of the CSV.
For Marc Goergen, it is also about introducing more controls on the export of animals. The Pirates want the Veterinary Commission and the Parliamentary Commission to come.
They want to invest more in better controls, but also realise that live animals cannot necessarily be slaughtered in other EU countries, but they can be slaughtered here. And of course we must not forget the pressure of the consumer, added Goergen.
