New transport rules could be on their way

NOTHING in the immediate future other than enforcing existing rules, but by the middle of next year expect Europe to review animal transport regulations once again.

That seems to be the message from EU health commissioner John Dalli following a meeting he had with parliamentary agricultural committee member Alyn Smith.

Scottish MEP Smith said he was heartened "but only a little bit" by the commissioner's responses. He said: "Dalli was clear that the commission is indeed assessing the state of enforcement of the existing animal transport rules, and we can expect this report, according to him, in mid-2011, so we do have a degree of breathing space.

"He is keeping his options open so there remains a risk that the solution to poor enforcement in some states is a new set of rules for all member states.

"To be fair he did not seem to have much appetite for new rules, but this must remain an issue to watch."