The way animals are transported on Maltese roads will have to abide by higher standards in four years' time following new EU rules agreed by agriculture ministers.

Malta on Monday voted in favour of the new rules together with the majority of member states.

As from 2008, animal transporters, which in Malta are normally the same people responsible for the breeding of animals, will have to be given training on how to handle the transportation of animals such as pigs, cattle and horses, while their vehicles will have to start being inspected.

Space allowances will also have to come in line with the new standards. Permitted travelling times remain unchanged.

In Malta, the transport of animals is usually done in converted trucks and not for very long distances as this usually involves taking the animals to the slaughter house in Marsa.

Denmark, which had lobbied for tighter limits on the time animals can spend in transit, voted against the new laws. Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden abstained with the rest of the 25 member states voting in favour.

Following the agreement, Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said that the new animal transport rules will significantly improve animal welfare. However he admitted that the Commission would have liked to see a deal reached on reduced journey times.

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