Brussels, 28/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - In January, the European Commission will be unveiling a new action plan for 2006-2010 to boost animal welfare and protection, and is looking at the option of introducing new legislation for specific categories of animal and establishing a new European animal welfare label. The Austrian Presidency will be organising a conference on animal welfare in the first half of the year.
The action plan will cover five main themes: 1) improving existing legislation. At present, alongside general animal and farm welfare directives, the EU has specific legislation on laying hens, veal and sows. The draft directive on broiler hens unveiled in the spring of this year is currently blocked by the Member States. The Commission believes new rules are needed for other species, like beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, turkeys and ducks. 2) Promoting research. The Commissions suggests carrying out further research into animal welfare (especially during transport) and ways of reducing animal testing for cosmetics and medicines. 3) Establishing animal welfare indicator standards (minimum and maximum levels) to facilitate assessment. The Commission is looking into the idea of creating a European animal welfare label. 4) Improving animal welfare information for farmers and the general public. In 2008, the European Commission will publish a report looking at the idea of compulsory poultry labelling. 5) Promoting international initiatives.