Developments in AW policies in the EU

« Everyone is responsible »

Andrea GavinelliAnimal Welfare Unit

Directorate General for Health and Consumers

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Almost 40 years of EU policies on animal welfare !

1974: First EU legislation addressing AW1999: First time animal protection is part of the EU Treaty “animals are sentient beings”2001: AW fully integrated into food safety policies2005: Welfare Quality Research Project starts2006-2010: Community Action Plan2010: European Parliament policy analysis and recommendations2010: First evaluation on the EU policy on animal welfare completed2012: New EU Strategy

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The main goals of the first Community Action Plan (2006-2010)

1. Upgrading existing minimum standards 2. High priority to promoting future research3. Introducing the use of standardised animal

welfare indicators4. Ensuring that animal keepers/ handlers as well

as the general public are more involved and informed

5. Continue to support and initiate further international initiatives

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The European Parliament assess the results achieved and calls for further

advancements

In 2010 the EP supported the achievements of the 2006 Action Plan.Called for a new EU Strategy to fully integrate animal welfare in EU policies with in particular:

1. A EU framework law on Animal Welfare2. A European Network of Reference Centers3. Stricter enforcement of the legislation4. Use of AW indicators to develop future AW standards and

legislation5. Application of equivalent standards to imports

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Key features of the new EU strategy

• A clear action plan for better communication and education:• Directed to citizens• Directed to operators and food chain stakeholders

A new fundamental approach having a general and long term effect: More business and outcome oriented

The strategy recognizes that consumers behavior rewarding farmers represent one of the most important drivers for animal welfare investments

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A new simplified legal framework

1. Use of outcome-based indicators2. Increase transparency for consumers with proper

information and uniform enforcement3. A European Network of Reference Centres4. Streamlining requirements for the competence of

staff

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A new simplified legal framework

1. Extended use of outcome-based indicators1. Scientifically validated2. Simplification of the acquis3. Already introduced with

success in the EU legislation (broilers, slaughter)

4. Internationally recognized (OIE and other countries in the world)

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A new simplified legal framework

2. Increase the transparency to consumers:• Ensuring consumers that

animal welfare claims are transparent and scientifically relevant

• Legislative and non legislative options will be explored to enhance consumer empowerment

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A new simplified legal framework

3. Future European Network of Reference Centers – Proposed Tasks

• Technical support/maintenance for AW indicators• Organizing vocational training• Dissemination of research and innovation• Coordination of EU research• Monitoring the economics of AW• Integrating data and research from related areas

such as animal and public health, environment

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A new simplified legal framework

4. Key Requirement for competence of animal handlers:

• Identify, prevent or limit pain, suffering and distress for the animals

• Know legal obligations• Knowledge of design of processes, facilities and

equipments applicable to animals and their impact on Animal Health and Welfare

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Reinforcing existing EU actions

Improve compliance• « Food and Veterinary Office » work;• Infringement proceedings towards non compliant

Member States;• « Better Training for Safer Food initiative »:

training the trainers• Thematic multi stakeholders working groups for

enforcement• Guidelines and implementing rules

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Reinforcing existing EU actions

EU support to international cooperation on animal welfare: a growing of interest and experience worldwide• Bilateral cooperations through Free Trade

Agreements and cooperation forums (Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Switzerland)

• Multilateral activities in OIE and FAO• EU neighbourhood policies (Serbia and the

Balcans, Ukraine) and accession (Croatia, Turkey)• Organising major international events• Report on animal welfare and competitiveness in

a globalised world

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Reinforcing existing EU actions

Priority to provide information to citizens, operators and consumers:

• Farmland (children 9-12 years)• BTSF (official vets)

MORE IS NEEDED!• Future study on animal welfare

education and information to invest on transnational information campaigns or educational initiatives

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Reinforcing existing EU actions

Optimising EU Common Agricultural Policies

• Most EU budget on animal welfare is spent through CAP in particular rural development measures (70 mills € per year).

The funds are more directed to structural investments than education/information activities or scientific developments

• Need to reinforce EU strategic cooperation on cross-compliance, rural development, promotional measures, quality policy, organic farming, etc.

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To achieve the goals of the strategy and to deliver high quality policies all stakeholders are called to cooperate and share knowledge:

the experience of the European Animal Welfare Platform

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Thank you for your attention!