The Agriculture Ministers of the European Union Member States were divided, on Tuesday 12 October in Luxembourg, on the scope and pace of the revision of European legislation on animal welfare.
Supported by the Belgian, German, Dutch and Swedish delegations, Denmark has proposed an ambitious legislative revision in this area based on scientific evidence.
In particular, these countries want certain aspects concerning pets (dogs and cats) to be included in the future legislation. They advocate for new legislation covering the welfare of pigs, laying hens, pullets, broilers, calves, dairy cows, rabbits and turkeys.
The revision of EU legislation on the transport and slaughter of animals is also important, according to these five countries (see EUROPE 12808/13).
Italy welcomed these proposals. Like Spain, it advocated the introduction of a label certifying animal welfare.
Austria also supported the opinion of this group of countries.
Transitional periods, support and impact assessment. Several states (e.g. Malta, Greece and Slovakia) have asked for transitional periods before the new rules and aid for farmers. France also called for accompanying and support measures and training tools for farmers.
Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and France have also requested that the European Commission, which will present its legislative proposals on animal welfare in 2023, publish prior impact studies. In particular, France has requested an assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of the industry’s ability to adapt to the new requirements over time.
France, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Greece have finally demanded that agricultural products imported from outside the EU should comply with equivalent animal welfare rules as EU products.
Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, said that an impact assessment had been published on 6 July.
He also referred to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) to abolish cages in animal husbandry.
The Commission has asked EFSA to provide a study on pigs, calves, domestic birds and laying hens. “Gradually, we will draft welfare standards for these species as we receive the scientific evidence”, the Commissioner said.
Link to the position paper from Denmark and other countries concerned: https://bit.ly/3DmGXXU (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)