Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, in a written answer on 23 June 2026, confirmed that Member States cannot ban the entry of animals from another Member State due to poor implementation of EU animal transport rules, responding to a question from MEP Anja Hazekamp. The answer reiterates that the Commission is monitoring Irish efforts to develop an automatic feeding system for calves on roll-on roll-off ferries, following a 2022 audit that found unweaned calves were not being fed as required by Regulation (EC) No 1/2005. Várhelyi stressed that the regulation aims to harmonise animal welfare rules to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market, and that enforcement is primarily the responsibility of Member States. The Commission will continue to monitor Irish compliance but offered no new legislative or enforcement measures. The answer provides no concrete timeline or targets for the automatic feeding system, leaving the pace of change to national authorities.
animal welfare advocates will be disappointed by the lack of EU-level action, while Irish livestock transporters and Dutch importers benefit from continued market access without immediate disruption. EU regulatory bodies maintain their current enforcement approach, and national authorities retain primary responsibility for compliance.