3rd meeting National Contact Points on long-distance transportation

The third meeting of the WOAH network of National Contact Points (NCP) on long-distance transportation in Europe was held from the 20 to the 22 June 2023 in Dublin, Ireland.
This meeting was the first meeting of the network in a face-to-face mode that gave the opportunity to all participants to meet each other and establish direct contact that will help ensure the welfare of animals transported through Europe.  Over 50 participants, consisting of  42 National Contact Points, speakers, and stakeholders, attended this meeting.

The meeting also provided the opportunity to recall the objectives and role of the network, to update participants on the last activities at the WOAH regional and global level, and also to share the experience of different countries, stakeholders’ perspectives and EU activities, including EFSA opinions. The dedicated Whole Journey Scenario for Europe session allowed to present challenges and best practise for the specific route of transporting animals by sea. Two working group exercises allow for reviewing the two WOAH guidance documents and focus points to assess the implementation of WOAH standards on transport. Those exercises highlighted the importance of discussing and exchanging views on the approach taken by the different members. The last session of the meeting was dedicated to the next action plan (2024-2026) activities on transport and how to address members’ needs.

The discussion clearly showed the importance given by the members to the network meetings that allow exchanges between themselves and to develop common documents, to build a community around long-distance transportation that will contribute to the progress made on this topic over time.

WOAH is grateful to the European Union, Ireland and Switzerland for funding the meeting and to Ireland for their kind support in the organisation and hosting of this event.

Please find more details in the meeting report.