The 3rd Whole Journey Scenario (WJS) workshop on long-distance transport in Europe was held on December 16–18, 2024, in Paris, France. The workshop focused on challenges presented by in land transport of animals from central to southern Europe, with discussions also extending to sea transport challenges.
The meeting brought together representatives from 14 WOAH Members, primarily from the European region, along with representatives from Colombia and Brazil, as well as the European Commission, veterinary professionals, businesses, producers and animal welfare organisations.
The main objectives of the workshop were to improve animal welfare during long-distance and cross-border transport in compliance with WOAH standards. It emphasised the responsibilities of Competent Authorities throughout the journey, offering an opportunity to share best practices, enhance collaboration between authorities, and address specific challenges in land transport from central to southern Europe.
The workshop underscored the need to enhance and strengthen communication and collaboration among all stakeholders involved in live animal transport, highlighting the importance of well-defined responsibilities, proper planning, and a collective, adaptable approach in unexpected situations.
After a decade of work through the Animal Welfare Platform for Europe on this priority topic, the remarkable engagement of participants demonstrates the significance of continuous collaboration, training and networking activities in collectively progressing toward high levels of compliance with WOAH standards.
The workshop was co-funded by the European Union and Ireland and kindly hosted by France.
| DAY 1: 16th December 2024 | |
| Session 1: Introduction | |
| Welcome and opening remarks | Emmanuelle Soubeyran (Director Genera WOAH)
France representative |
| WOAH Platform and regional activities on transport | Tomasz Grudnik (SRR Brussels Office) |
| WOAH standards’ and international trade in the context of transport of animals | Francisco D’Alessio (WOAH Standards Department)t |
| Session 2: Understanding the country’s situation and identifying key challenges | |
| EU legislative framework | Stanislav Ralchev (European Commission – DG Sante) |
| Members’ presentations (10’ per country) overview of the state of play – legislation, competent authorities, monitoring and evaluation, main trading partners, main challenges:
Albania , Austria , Bulgaria , Czech Republic , France , Germany , Hungary , Italy , North Macedonia , Romania , Spain , Türkiye |
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| DAY 2: 17 December 2024 | |
| Session 3: Addressing challenges and sharing best practices | |
| WOAH Observatory – thematic study on animal welfare during transport | Caroline Paquier (WOAH Data Integration Department) |
| Working Group exercise – Understanding common key challenges for Competent Authorities | |
| Sharing country experience/best practices: Whole Journey Scenario (WJS) workshop on long-distance transport by land and sea in Colombia | Catalina Medrano, Colombia |
| The main challenges with the export of animals – EU experience and perspective | S. Ralchev (EC DG Sante) |
| Working group exercises – case study | |
| Session 4: Stakeholders perspective | |
| European Livestock and Meat Trading Union | Carolina Cucurella (UECBV) |
| European Federation for Animal Health and Sanitary Security | Hans-Peter Schons (FESASS) |
| Federation of Veterinarians of Europe | Nancy De Briyne (FVE) |
| NGO (Animals’ Angels) perspective | Julia Havenstein (Animals’ Angels) |
| DAY 3: 18 December 2024 | |
| Session 5: Addressing the challenges and next steps | |
| Working group exercise – discussing procedures for routine and emergency scenarios between countries Competent Authorities | |
| Implementation of WOAH standards on animal transport by WOAH Members – self-assessment tool on transport and next activities of the WOAH Platform on animal welfare for Europe. | Tomasz Grudnik |
| Update on EU developments and activities on animal welfare | Andrea Gavinelli (European Commission DG Sante) |
| WOAH Global Animal Welfare Strategy – transport activities | Leopoldo Stuardo (WOAH Standards Department) |
| Discussion, main conclusions, closing remarks | Estelle Hamelin (WOAH Sub Regional Representative in Brussels) |
