The European Parliament’s newly formed Intergroup on Sustainable Livestock debuts by addressing a topic as well-known as its complexity: animal transport.

The newly established Sustainable Livestock Intergroup of the European Parliament makes its debut by addressing a theme as well-known as its complexity: animal transport. The launch event, scheduled for March 5 from 16:00 to 17:30 in room ANTALL 4Q1, aims to overturn the traditional perspective of the debate, often dominated by polarized approaches far from practical reality. What would happen if, for once, space were given to those who manage animals daily?

And if we listened to those who deal with animals daily?

If we listened to those who deal with animals daily? And what if science were truly integrated into practice? These are the key questions that would guide the discussion, which would see the participation of farmers, transporters, academics, policymakers, and civil society organizations. The perspective of those working in the field is crucial to understanding the dynamics of animal transport in Europe and seeking solutions to improve animal welfare and the conditions of those who care for them.

The Sustainable Livestock Intergroup thus aims to promote a depolarized discussion based on facts and oriented towards the sector’s reality to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges related to the topic. The organizers consider an in-depth and practical dialogue, often absent in the last legislature, the only way to achieve balanced and truly applicable European policies.

The event program

After the welcome speeches by MEPs Alexander Bernhuber, Maria Grapini, and Benoît Cassart, the program includes hearing testimonies from farmers and transporters. A video from the Spanish association ASOPROVAC and an excerpt from the French documentary “Les routiers profession chauffeur poids lourd, l’appel de la route“, featuring the direct experiences of Teddy and Armonie, cattle transporters, will be shown. This will be followed by the presentation of studies on animal transport, including one on the costs of pig protection for the European pig industry by Patrick Chevillon of IFIP (French Pork Institute) and the research conducted by SEPAB in collaboration with INRAE, presented by Laurent Trémoulet.

At the end, there will be an exchange of views with the speakers on animal welfare during transport and representatives of the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE). To bring the discussion closer to real conditions, the event will conclude with a live demonstration of a livestock transport truck in front of the European Parliament, aimed at MEPs, assistants, and consultants.

Purpose of the Sustainable Livestock Intergroup

The Sustainable Livestock Intergroup, officially established at the beginning of 2025, was created to offer MEPs a space to discuss existing agricultural practices and new technologies serving sustainable livestock farming.

Declared objective: to provide informational tools to raise awareness about food production and help assess the benefits and challenges of the sector in a balanced way, promoting realistic and science-based solutions.

This is the link to follow the event remotely for those who cannot attend in person. Those who follow in streaming can only listen but not intervene or ask questions.