The millionth signature arrived on the www.8hours.eu website on the 30th December 2012, a fantastic conclusion to a massive mobilisation of European citizens calling for an end to long-distance journeys for animals sent for slaughter in the European Union.
In Europe around six million farmed animals, including calves, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses are transported each year. They are forced to travel hundreds and even thousands of miles, often from country to country, by road, rail, sea or air.
This campaign, which has documented hundreds of cases of severe suffering endured by transported animals is one of the largest animal welfare campaigns ever conducted in Europe.
The long duration of the journeys of animals destined for slaughter in EU often causes them intense suffering. Current EU legislation makes it possible for animals to be transported for several days, even though it is scientifically proven and acknowledged by the Commission that the animals’ suffering increases with the duration of the journey.
Moving live animals long distances to markets and slaughterhouses can also spread infectious diseases between animals. As animals are transported from country to country, with few medical checks, diseases such as foot and mouth disease and bluetongue can spread over great distances at an alarming rate.
In 2002, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare concluded that animal journeys, as a ground rule, should be as short as possible. This recommendation is, however, not reflected in the current EU legislation.
For a long time, animal welfare organisations, concerned citizens and politicians have argued that something has to be done. It is widely accepted that animals should be fattened and slaughtered as near as possible to home and that the transportation of live animals should be replaced by a trade in meat.
The collection of one million signatures from EU citizens is part of a larger campaign asking for a maximum overall 8-hour limit for the journeys of animals sent for slaughter.
The campaign is also supported by 109 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from 19 member states and all political groups. Furthermore, 119 MEPs have so far signed Written Declaration 49/2011 tabled in the European Parliament at the end of November calling for an 8-hour limit for live animal transports.
We want to say a huge thank you to the many OneKind supporters, their friends and families who have signed this petition and raised awareness of this important animal welfare issue.