The Doomed Journey Live Animal Exports from the EU to Turkey. Sabrina Gurtner, Project Manager TSB AWF - Intergroup Meeting, 14th April 2016

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1 The Doomed Journey Live Animal Exports from the EU to Turkey Sabrina Gurtner, Project Manager TSB AWF - Intergroup Meeting, 14th April 2016

2 5-year-long investigation at the Turkish border Time frame: Investigation days: 93 Dossier of approx pages (incl. annex) Investigations carried out by: Campaign supported by: 2

3 Common transport routes 3

4 Statistics Observed livestock trucks: > 480 Inspected trucks thereof: 352 Trucks in violation of Reg. 1/2005: % of all inspected trucks were in violation of Reg. 1/2005, often resulting in extreme animal suffering. 4

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6 Violations of Reg. 1/2005 Violations we most frequently observed: Unrealistic route planning Lack of water, feed and rest Overcrowding, insufficient headspace Temperatures above 30 C Dirty bedding / no bedding left Risk of injuries (inadequate vehicles) 6

7 Impact of breaches The breaches of Reg. 1/2005 often result in severe suffering through injuries, dehydration, feed deprivation and exhaustion. Hungry animals are forced to eat their dirty bedding. Some animals die on board the trucks. 7

8 Waiting times at Turkish border Animals are left on the trucks for several hours up to one week Summer 2015: average waiting time was 17 hours, one truck waited 5 days parked in full sun Reasons for delays: deficient paperwork, unpaid import duties, consignments not meeting Turkey s strict import requirements, etc. No infrastructure at all for live animals: no shadow, no feed, only one water hose available inside the border zone Working hours of Turkish veterinarians from 9am to 6pm instead of 24 hours 8

9 Footage summer

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11 Judgement of the ECJ In April 2015 the EU Court of Justice ruled that: EU animal transport Regulation 1/2005 has to be complied with until unloading in the Third Country. This includes compliance with transport, feeding, watering and resting periods. 11

12 Judgement of the ECJ Implementation of the ECJ ruling not possible in Turkey, as: Waiting times at the border are long and unpredictable No protection from extreme weather conditions No possibility to feed and properly water animals inside the border No control posts or stables where animals can be unloaded to rest Sick and injured animals do not receive any veterinary treatment No possibility for emergency slaughter 12

13 Failure of the authorities For 5 years, we have been sending reports and numerous complaints to the competent authorities and to the EU Commission, but measures taken were not effective. Conditions at the Turkish border remain unchanged. The Member States and EU Commission have failed to protect animals on this route. 13

14 Legislation Art. 13 of the Lisbon Treaty (ex Protocol No. 33/1997 on protection and welfare of animals); Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005; Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-424/13; European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport; The European Parliament s initiatives about animal protection and welfare (e.g. the motion for a resolution on a new European Union strategy for animal welfare for ). 14

15 Attorneys Giuseppe Giacomini, Manuela Giacomini, Greta Demartini and Dr. Giovanni Annicetti of the Conte & Giacomini Law Firm are currently studying the main EU legal actions that will be: Legal actions in project Deposit of a formal complaint to the EU Commission (DG Sante, DG Transport and DG Competition) against the Member States responsible for the breach of Council Regulation No 1/2005; Deposit in front of the EU Parliament and of the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals of a formal letter of explanation that will accompany the formal complaints that will be send to the EU Commission; Deposit of a formal petition to the EU Parliament concerning the wrongful application of EU law and asking the Parliament to adopt a political position regarding the clear and extremely serious violations of Council Regulation No 1/2005; Deposit of a formal letter to the EU Commission inquiring on the reasons for which it did not solicit Turkey to ratify the European Convention for the protection of the animals during the international transport. This Convention was signed by Turkey in February 2004 but, as of today, still hasn t been ratified. 15

16 Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your attention