A new agreement on the transport of live animals in the EU by farm ministers in Brussels on Monday was hailed last night by farming groups as a victory for common sense.
Decisions on the most contentious issues - the density at which animals can be carried and journey times - were put off but there were improvements on proposals brought forward in June by Commissioner David Byrne.
The ministers agreed that tracing vehicle movements by compulsory navigation system be introduced for new lorries from 2007 and for all lorries from 2009.
It also agreed that there should be compulsory pre-approval and registration in an electronic data base for lorries, and road/sea containers as well as sea vessels.
The vexed question of the density at which animals could be transported has been put off for further study which could take up to four years.
Compassion in World Farming Ireland, the animal welfare group, condemned the postponement of a decision on these contentious issues and said the package agreed was "limited".
Irish director of CIWF Ms Mary Ann Bartlett said the six-year delay in addressing journey times, rest periods and stocking densities meant that millions of animals would continue to suffer for years to come. "CIWF will continue to highlight the plight of these animals and to press for an eight-hour maximum journey limit for all animals," she said.