Project 1882 files formal ethics complaint concerning MEPs role in EU animal transport legislation

New legislation on animal transport being developed

The EU is currently working to update the rules on animal transport, and negotiations are underway both in the European Parliament and among member states.

In the European Parliament, the work is led by two committees: the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The committees have each appointed a responsible member of the European Parliament, known as a co-rapporteur. Daniel Buda, member of the European Parliament from Romania representing the EPP Group, is responsible for AGRI’s work, while Tilly Metz, member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg representing the Greens/EFA, is responsible for TRAN’s work.

The work to develop new legislation on animal welfare during the transport of live animals is at a very difficult stage. Project 1882 believes that the legislative process must be transparent and democratic.

“Time and again, the needs of animals are weighed against strong economic interests. We demand that the legislative process for animal transport is conducted properly and that it is reviewed in accordance with the democratic principles of EU,” says Sebastian Wiklund, Director of Public Affairs at Project 1882.

Request for an independent examination

The complaint filed by Project 1882, Animals International and seven other organizations, concerns Daniel Budas’ role as co-rapporteur and has been submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members and to the President of the European Parliament.

The complaint calls for an independent examination of any potential conflicts of interest and of compliance with the European Parliament’s requirements for integrity and transparency, as well as an examination of meetings and legislative proposals.

Transparency and trust

The complaint does not claim that political differences of opinion constitute misconduct, nor does it call on the Parliament to presume guilt. The complaint is not a judgment.

The organizations that have filed the complaint are calling for an independent examination and urging that the facts are established and that a determination are being made as to whether the European Parliament has fulfilled its obligations.

The signatory organizations also emphasize that the complaint does not only concern a single Member of the European Parliament. It concerns public confidence in a legislative process that will determine the conditions for the future transport of millions of sentient individuals within and outside the EU.