On Thursday 23 November, the European Commissioner for Health, Stella Kyriakides, confirmed that the European Commission would be adopting a proposal on the protection of animals during transport on 6 December.
With regard to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘End the Cage Age’, the Commission explained at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Animal Welfare that the conditions for phasing out cages must be based on scientific advice, public consultation and a thorough impact assessment, along with a consideration of the appropriate length of the transition period. “We are working tirelessly to finalise these issues in order to move forward with this initiative” said the Commissioner.
With regard to the ECI calling for an end to fur farming in Europe, the Commission will provide its response to this ECI on 6 December.
Lastly, the Commission is in the process of designating a new European reference centre for the welfare of farmed aquatic animals, said Ms Kyriakides, who sought to reassure the public of her commitment to improving animal welfare, following the Commission's decision to abandon certain proposals (see EUROPE 13264/16). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)