The European directive on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (Directive 98/58/EC), which provides in particular for the ban on cages for laying hens and individual stalls for sows, has generally contributed to the implementation of a common framework, according to a report published by the European Commission on 10 September.
In the report on the implementation of Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, the Commission nevertheless acknowledges that "it becomes clear that a better common understanding of existing animal welfare rules and how they are to be applied and enforced is required", especially with regard to the welfare of pigs.
The Commission therefore continues to stress better application of the directive in the EU before making new proposals, as some NGOs and MEPs are nevertheless demanding.
The report underlines the interest of the platform that the Commission is in the process of setting up for the exchange of good practice on animal welfare. The report states that the adoption on legislation on official control will pave the way to the creation of European reference centres for animal welfare that could also contribute to further improvements because of better technical and scientific knowledge. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)