May 2011.- Today, too many animals are transported under unacceptable conditions on European highways.

The most important issue is the duration of the transports. Current EU legislation allows for animals to be transported for several days. This has to be changed. Live animals for slaughter should never be transported for more than eight hours.

Why 8hours?

Every year millions of animals are transported along European highways, and too often under unacceptable conditions.
In 2002, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare published the report "The Welfare of Animals during Transport" concluding that animal transports, as a ground rule, should be as short as possible. This recommendation is, however, not reflected in the current EU legislation.

According to current legislation animal transports up to several days are acceptable as long as the haulier fulfills simple demands concerning e.g. rest, feeding and watering of the animals. We do not think this is acceptable.

For a long time, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, concerned citizens and politicians have argued that something has to be done. Animals for slaughter should never be transported for more than eight hours.

Support 8hours. Our goal is to collect 1,000,000 signatures, something EU politicians will not be able to ignore.

Therefore, sign now for 8hours - www.8hours.eu  - and ask your friends to do the same.