Washington andrea 1

Developments in AW policies in the EU « Everyone is responsible » Andrea Gavinelli Animal Welfare Unit Directorate General for Health and Consumers

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 2

The main goals of the first Community Action Plan (2006-2010)1. Upgrading existing minimum standards2. 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 informed5. Continue to support and initiate further international initiatives 3

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 4

Key features of the new EU strategy 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• A clear action plan for better communication and education: • Directed to citizens • Directed to operators and food chain stakeholders 5

A new simplified legal framework1. 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 6

A new simplified legal framework1. Extended use of outcome- based indicators 1. Scientifically validated 2. Simplification of the acquis 3. Already introduced with success in the EU legislation (broilers, slaughter) 4. Internationally recognized (OIE and other countries in the world) 7

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 8

A new simplified legal framework3. 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 9

A new simplified legal framework4. 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 10

Reinforcing existing EU actionsImprove 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 11

Reinforcing existing EU actionsEU support to international cooperation on animalwelfare: a growing of interest and experienceworldwide • 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 a12 globalised world

Reinforcing existing EU actionsPriority to provide information tocitizens, 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 13

Reinforcing existing EU actionsOptimising 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. 14

To achieve the goals of the strategyand to deliver high quality policies allstakeholders are called to cooperateand share knowledge:the experience of the EuropeanAnimal Welfare Platform 15

Thank you for your attention! 16

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Washington andrea 1

by Roos Kouwenhoven on Mar 27, 2012

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