Why the Commission RepoRt? - the need foR moRe infoRmation

In 2007, the European Commission launched a Study² to determine the best options for animal welfare information. A number of 110 representative organisations of producers, consumers and farmers from all over Europe replied to a comprehensive questionnaire.

In order to support animal welfare labelling, facilitate the development of indicators for animal welfare and coordinate research in the area of good husbandry practices, the Commission looked at different options for the possible establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for Animal Protection and Welfare.

The results of the feasibility study showed a need to deepen the discussion on how to improve information on animal welfare and fine-tune the most appropriate tools. With this Report, the Commission seeks to facilitate an in-depth political discussion, notably with the European Parliament and the Council, in light of the feasibility study, and to obtain clear views on the next steps.

Although the report does not endorse any of the options outlined, it identifies those which are considered to be the most feasible today. Harmonised requirements for voluntary animal welfare claims, for example, constitute one such option to support transparent information to consumers. Another is a voluntary Community Animal Welfare Label open for all to use, provided they meet the criteria.

The Commission Report on options for animal welfare labelling and the establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals.

On 28 October 2009, the European Commission adopted a Report¹ in which it outlines a series of options for animal welfare labelling, to facilitate an in-depth political debate with the other institutions. The overall policy goal in this area is to make it easier for consumers to identify and choose welfare-friendly products, and thereby give an economic incentive to producers and EU citizens to improve the welfare of animals.

EuropEan Commission FACTSHEET

The report has presented for the first time a range of issues concerning animal welfare labelling and communication, and the possible establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals. Based on the report, the inter-institutional discussion will provide the basis for the future Commission’s reflections in shaping policy options in this area and to react to people’s concerns.

speCifiC inteRnet Websites

DG SANCO – Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010:

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/actionplan/actionplan_en.htm

DG SANCO – Animal welfare labelling:

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/farm/labelling_en.htm

Q-Porkchains project:

http://www.q-porkchains.org

Welfare Quality project:

http://www.welfarequality.net

Econ Welfare project:

http://www.econwelfare.eu/projectfacts/projectfacts.aspx

Farmland, the interactive game for children on farmed animals:

www.farmland-thegame.eu

Copyright: European Communities, 2009Reproduction is authorised, except for commercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged. Directorate General for Health and ConsumersEuropean Commission – B-1049 Brusselshttp://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm

This document has been financed by the European Commission under a contract with the company Qwentes KANTOR. It is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute official guidance from the Commission on the interpretation of EU laws or policies.

ISBN: 978-92-79-13414-2

ND

-80-09-806-EN-C

Animal welfare

Animal welfare: How to make an informed choice

December 2009

the next steps

1 The Commission adopted a Report addressed to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on Options for animal welfare labelling and the establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the

protection and welfare of animals (COM (2009) 584 final)

² The Commission launched a “Study to assess the feasibility of different options for indicating animal welfare-related information on products of animal origin and for establishing a Community Reference Centre for Animal Protection and Welfare” in December 2007.

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Animal welfare Animal welfare

People’s opinion on animal welfare-related information available today:

• thereareproblemstounderstandanimalwelfarestandards/claims

• thereisalackofconsumerawarenessoflogos/labels

Currently, the three main drivers of animal welfare-relevant labelling schemes are:

• foodlawhasbeenundergoingmajorchangesintheEUinrecentyears;

• certificationhasbecomeawidelyacceptedinstrumentforregulatingfoodmarkets;

• consumerdemandssupportanimalwelfarelabelling.

There is a common understanding that organic labelling can be considered a good example of

how a harmonised scheme contributed to develop a former niche market into a mass market.

The report points out that there is no harmonised system of animal welfare standards for

labelling purposes. Consumers are unable to understand and differentiate the welfare standards

promoted under existing voluntary schemes.

tRanspaRenCy and sCientifiC ReseaRCh on animal WelfaRe - pRomoting good maRketing oppoRtunities and sustainable tRade.

The 2006 Community Action Plan on Animal Welfare had already foreseen the possibility of better coordinating and using expertise at European level to serve policy-making.

In the EU a small core of relevant institutions working in the area of animal welfare already exists, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and national reference laboratories. However, currently their mandate does not cover all areas of expertise needed and in particular the function of coordinating animal welfare activities at EU level.

The European scientific community is concluding five years of close cooperation in the framework of the “Welfare Quality” project. Scientists have highlighted on several occasions the importance to give priority to the establishment of a permanent European network. The report highlights the need for an independent source of information at EU level and to prevent the current risk of duplication of activities in the scientific area.

Stakeholders agree on the following main tasks for the centre:

the situation today

Do you believe that buying animal welfare friendly products could have a positive impact on the welfare/protection of farm animals?

good foR people… possible solutions

Some existing labelling schemes address animal welfare requirements alongside other quality standards, such as organic farming or environmental protection. For this reason, the added value of a possible EU animal welfare labelling scheme in view of existing schemes needs to be carefully considered, as along with how to avoid any possible overlap.

Today, animal welfare labelling schemes exist in three different forms, focusing on:

- animal welfare only (e.g. Freedom Food, Neuland)- various aspects including animal welfare (e.g. organic certification, Label Rouge)- aspects other than animal welfare but with positive side effects on animal welfare (e.g. Protected Designation of Origin Certification)

The Report highlights the positive effects of empowering consumers to choose animal welfare-friendly products if they so wish, and the beneficial effects this can have on farming and trade. The Commission Report foresees possible solutions to ensure that consumers get the necessary information in an easy to understand way: combining voluntary labelling, based on public or private standards and public information campaigns.

Public information campaigns play a role in raising the awareness of European citizens on animal welfare and in increasing the market share of welfare friendly products. Successful examples of EU level communication on animal welfare include the “Farmland” web site for children1. It should also be considered whether information campaigns and education programmes on animal welfare should be developed and organised at EU and/or at Member State level.

1 Harmonisation and coordination

•Harmonisationofanimalwelfareindicators;

• Operation of databases.

2 Policy advice and best practices

•Preparationofsocio-economicstudiesandimpactassessments;

•Assessmentofexistingpracticesandstandards;

• Collection and dissemination of best practices.

3 Education and communication

•Advisingandeducatingstakeholders;

• Consumer information.

4 Research and implementation

• Coordination of research on animal welfare and animal protection.

… and good foR animals

Farmers and producers agree that market success of animal welfare schemes will improve conditions for animals on the farm. Consumers play a big role in determining the extent to which conditions improve; the more animal welfare-friendly products consumers buy, the better the conditions will be for farmed animals.

1 http://www.farmland-thegame.eu

Source : Special Eurobarometer : Attitudes of consumers towards the welfare of farmed animals (June 2005)