Paice wants the EC to make sure the existing rules on transporting livestock, especially journey times, are in line with scientific evidence.
His overall argument was livestock should be slaughtered as close as possible to where they are farmed. However, in light that animals will have to be transported, journey times should be as short as possible to reduce stress.
He said: “The UK agrees with the EU Commission that the number one priority is better enforcement of the existing legislation on welfare during transport across the EU.
“However, in addition, it would like to see a review of long journey rules to take account of existing and emerging scientific evidence, including that highlighted by the recent EFSA report, particularly in relation to revising the journey time down to a maximum of 12 hours for horses going to slaughter.”
Paice also highlighted the fact that infant livestock, calves in particular, had to travel long distances and in some cases had to endure multiple journeys of 19 hours.
He added: “We believe it is important that the rules should be updated where there is sufficient evidence to support such change. We note that the recent EFSA report does not include any recommendation suggesting that all major species of livestock going to slaughter should face the same maximum journey length in all cases.”