By Martin Banks - 12th October 2011
The current is totally inadequate
Jo White
The commission has been urged to help "stop the suffering" of horses being transported across Europe.
World Horse Welfare wants the commission to change its current transport regulation as well as urging everyone "who cares about horses" to support their campaign.
The initiative aims to stop the "unnecessary suffering" endured by the 80,000 horses driven long distances across Europe to slaughter each year.
The group opened an exhibition in parliament this week as part of its campaign to improve animal welfare.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday Jo White, the campaigns advisor for World Horse Welfare, said, "While the current, totally inadequate, regulation remains unchanged many thousands of horses continue to suffer.
"The answer to end this needless suffering is simple - the commission must develop a proposal to introduce a short, maximum journey limit.
"We are calling upon people across Europe to help us maintain the momentum of our campaign and take action now. This is the only way to drive this abuse off Europe's roads."
She added, "We are still waiting for the commission to publish their report reviewing the current transport regulation, as it was due at the end of September.
"We need the public and MEPs to support to show the commission that there is an urgent need for amendments to this regulation, most importantly the introduction of a 9- to 12 hour maximum journey limit.
"At the moment, journeys for these horses can last for days, with little or no food, water or rest. By emailing or phoning their local MEP, people can show how strongly they oppose these unnecessary journeys."
She said, "We will be encouraging MEPs to back our campaign for change by visiting our stand in parliament all this week and signing up in support of a maximum journey limit.
"We are also asking MEPs to bring with them all of the 'action cards' which members of the public have previously downloaded and filled out with their own personal messages of support.
White added, "We feel the release of the commission report is an important time to get as many people as possible to press for an end to the biggest single abuse of horses in Europe, once and for all.
"Over the past two months we have received a fantastic amount of support, with people from 62 countries downloading thousands of action cards and we ask that people continue to help us.
"We hope that by presenting as many action cards as possible to MEPs, they will recognise the need to act and help us convince the commission that there is overwhelming support for change to the transport regulation."
