and, the 'inhumane transport and treatment' of farm animals?—
mika emmé (@modelemme) January 18, 2012
New #Animal #Welfare Strategy Paper: EC wants quality upgrade bit.ly/wqKFrf Q&A here bit.ly/vZF398—
European Commission (@EU_Commission) January 19, 2012
official press releases
from the european commission
on january 19, 2012
via europa.eu
a new “animal welfare strategy” paper: european commission seeks quality upgrade
brussels, 19 january 2012 – the european commission today adopted a new four-year strategy (2012-2015) that aims to further improve the welfare of animals in the european union (eu).
“the recent coming into force of the “laying hens” legislation has shown that problems persist in animal welfare in several “member states”. some efforts are being made, but many issues need to be tackled in a different way in order to achieve more sustainable results. “the new strategy” will permit appropriate flexibility allowing operators to attain the necessary welfare standards by different routes. optimising policy coherence and market transparency in a comprehensive animal welfare legislative framework will minimise real or perceived tensions between welfare and economics. animal welfare measures need to be cost-effective. the proposed dedication of resources to education and training is expected to be highly cost-effective, economically and in welfare terms.”
“eu health and consumer policy commissioner”, john dalli, said.
the need for change
“eu” animal welfare legislation, developed in response to contingencies and political demand over the past 3 decades, is often detailed and sector specific but sporadic in its coverage. uneven application of these rules in the “member states” makes for an uneven playfield in this important economic sector. viewed against the background of the diversity of climatic, terrain and farming systems in which it must be applied, this area of european law calls for change.
“the new strategy” was adopted in the form of “a commission communication” to “the european parliament”, “the council” and “the european economic and social committee”.
why problems persist
“the commission communication” identifies the lack of enforcement of “eu” legislation by “member states” in a number of areas as one of the major issues adversely affecting animal welfare in the “eu”. another brake on full and even implementation is the fact that the market does not provide sufficient economic incentives for compliance.
“the communication” also notes that many of the parties involved lack sufficient knowledge about animal welfare, while it points out gaps in “eu” legislation which make it harder to ensure adequate welfare conditions for some categories of animals.
suggested actions
to address these issues and concerns, “the strategy” provides for a two-pronged approach: (1) a proposal for a comprehensive animal welfare law and (2) a reinforcement of current actions.
the legislation to be proposed is expected to:
- promote an innovative approach focusing on actual welfare outcomes instead of mechanistic inputs;
- and, increase the focus on the education and professional standards of all parties concerned.
the second element proposes a reinforcement and the optimisation of current commission actions:
- enhancing tools to strengthen member state compliance with the legal requirements;
- boosting the already existing international co-operation on animal welfare issues;
- providing consumers with better information;
- and, performing studies where animal welfare appears to encounter the most problems.
background
“the commission” first adopted an animal welfare strategy in 2006. “the community action plan on the protection and welfare of animals 2006-2010″, grouped the various aspects of “eu” policy on animal welfare governing the keeping of billions of animals for economic purposes.
“the new strategy” builds on the old one and, in particular, on lessons learned during the five-year implementation period of the first action plan. the necessity of a new strategy becomes all too obvious with a glance at the importance of animals in our daily lives.
the farming sector is the largest, as far as use of animals is concerned. in farms across the “eu”, there are about two billion birds (chickens for meat production, laying hens, turkeys, ducks and geese) and three hundred million mammals (cows, pigs, sheep, etc.).
the pet population is also quite large in the “eu”. it is estimated that there are about one hundred million dogs and cats in the union.
the annual value of livestock farming in the “eu” is estimated at approximately 150 billion euros. the union’s contribution to support animal welfare is estimated at 70 million euros a year, either directed to farmers as animal welfare payments under rural development programmes or dedicated to other activities related to animal welfare, such as research, economic studies, communication, training and education etc.
end1.
questions and answers on the animal welfare strategy 2012-2015
reference: memo/12/18 date: 19/01/2012
why a new “eu” strategy on animal welfare?
over the years it has become increasingly clear that simply applying the same sector specific rules to animal welfare does not always yield the desired results.
problems of compliance to sector specific rules pointed to the need to reflect on whether a “one size fits all” approach can lead to better welfare outcomes across the union. the diversity of farming systems, climatic conditions, land realities in the different “member states” have led to considerable difficulties in agreeing on unitary rules and even more difficulties in ensuring their correct implementation.
the end result is an uneven playing field as far as animal welfare conditions are concerned. a level playing field is essential to sustain the economic activity linked to the treatment of animals in the “eu”. in addition, and more importantly, the real welfare of animals across the union cannot be guaranteed.
finally, although the animal welfare agenda has been advanced through specific pieces of legislation, important gaps where no legislation exist remain. a comprehensive approach would help to address the underlying problems.
who will benefit from the new strategy?
all of us.
as citizens and consumers we care about animals and want them to be well treated. consumer surveys indicate that “eu” consumers are concerned about animal welfare when they buy food. “the animal welfare strategy” will contribute to the improvement of information to consumers, retailers, food services and food processors on animal welfare through the development of a transparent tool for claims on animal welfare certification schemes.
commercial sectors dealing with animals, in particular farmers, will also benefit because the strategy will provide them with tools to better innovate and promote their actions on animal welfare.
currently, there are few certification schemes specifically addressing animal welfare issues. “the strategy” suggests considering the development of a tool for increasing transparency and adequacy of information to consumers for their purchase choice.
what are the changes compared to the existing “strategy (2006-2010)”?
there are several common elements. a number of previous initiatives need to be reinforced. so, the commission will:
- support “member states” and take action to improve compliance with animal welfare rules;
- support international cooperation;
- provide consumers and the public with appropriate information;
- optimise synergies with the “common agriculture policy”;
- investigate on the welfare of certain species like farmed fish, in line with the initiatives laid down in “the commission aquaculture strategy”, and by exploring the possibilities offered in the context of the reform of the “common fisheries policy”.
however, a number of common problems can not be addressed through the sector specific legislation and need a more comprehensive approach. this is why “the commission” will consider the adoption of a general animal welfare legislative framework. it will:
- increase transparency of animal welfare claims;
- focus requirements on the results for the animals;
- improve education for people handling animals.
who is responsible for what?
“the commission” will develop the actions foreseen in “the strategy” in the forthcoming years. however, a number of actions will need the involvements of stakeholders, “member states” and other “eu” institutions like “the european parliament”.
in particular, regarding a general animal welfare framework, the commission will consider a legal proposal but the final adoption of the law will depend on “the european parliament” and “the council”. similarly, compliance with “eu” legislation is primarily under the responsibility of the “member states”. “the commission” can provide tools to improve their efficiency but can not replace them.
are there any measures against third countries not complying with the rules foreseen?
the competitiveness of “eu” producers is one of the key objectives of the commission’s policy on animal welfare. there is no point in improving “eu” welfare standards if it has the effect of increasing imports from third countries with lower standards.
for this reason, the strategy will emphasize the importance of developing within the “eu” a flexible system of rules. simultaneously, “eu” values towards animals will be promoted abroad. also, even more is to be done on the international level. since 2000, the “eu” has invested increasing resources to develop international standards on animal welfare and supported the relevant work of the “world animal health organisation (oie)”.
when will foreseen actions be applied?
the strategy is comprised of a list of actions that will come gradually into effect from 2012 to 2015. for example, in 2012 “the commission” will set up an implementation plan on the grouping of sows. in 2013, it will publish guidelines on the protection of pigs. specific studies on the welfare of farmed fish during transport and at slaughter will be completed in the next two years. in 2014 it will consider and possibly prepare a proposal for a general “eu” animal welfare legislative framework.
to what extent does “the strategy” take into account “the 2010 european parliament resolution”?
“the strategy” includes all key elements suggested by “the european parliament” and in particular:
- focus on better enforcement of the current “eu” legislation;
- further actions to ensure fair conditions of competition for “eu” farmers;
- the adoption of a general “eu” animal welfare law;
- establishing a “european network of reference centres” for animal welfare;
- the use of scientifically-validated animal welfare indicators;
- better communication to consumers on animal welfare claims;
- consideration on the relevance of sector-specific initiatives, such as for farmed fish, through specific studies on the welfare of fish during transport and at time of killing.
do you plan to introduce compulsory labelling on animal welfare for all animal products?
an “eu” system of compulsory labelling on animal welfare exists for table eggs. the system for eggs is based on the “eu” legislation for laying hens defining different production methods (cages, free range, barn, etc.). such classification of production methods does not exist for other types of animal production in the “eu”.
“the strategy” does not plan to extend beyond eggs the compulsory labelling on animal welfare.
instead, “the strategy” is oriented towards considering the development of an instrument to better inform consumers and companies on animal welfare friendly products that could be used by both producers and retailers, ensuring a transparency to consumers without overflowing them with information on the label.
what will “the network of reference centres” do?
the objective of “the network” is to use the current research structure of the “member states” to improve their financing and their mutual cooperation throughout europe. it will not duplicate the work done by the “member states” or “the european food safety authority (efsa)”.
“the network” will also aim at better disseminating research results through assistance, communication and education initiatives. it will not replace the work of the competent authorities but will provide technical assistance in implementing legislation. “the network” will also help stakeholders in finding concrete and local solutions to difficulties in improving some welfare problems in farms.
are there plans to legislate on the welfare of dogs and cats?
no, “the commission” does not envisage such legislation now, but if deemed necessary it will take specific measures for cats and dogs. having said this, “the commission” envisages, in the framework of the new strategy, to collect more data and opinions on the issue and consider whether action is necessary.
in november 2010, “the council” adopted conclusions where it asked “the commission” to consider the question of dogs and cats. “the council” pointed out possible problems where the “eu” could have a say. however, these have to be properly evaluated, since there is no consensus among the “member states” on the different actions at “eu”-level. some “member states” advocate for harmonising certain welfare conditions for the keeping and selling dogs and cats for commercial purposes. there is also some interest in consolidating at “eu” level current systems of registration and identification of dogs.
end2.
official links:
(1) http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/28&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
(2) http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/18
editing note:
certain corrections of translational/typographical/grammatical errors within original documents have been made.
the content has also been formatted to fit this blog.
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The world is our office—
Kanye West (@kanyewest) January 07, 2012
