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European Union
MEMO/06/21
Brussels, 23 January 2006
Questions and Answers on the Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of
Animals
What are the objectives of the Action Plan?
The overall aim of the Action Plan is to set out timetabled measures
that will be taken by the Commission to promote animal welfare over
the next 5 years. Taking into account experience already gained in
this field, both at EU, international and national level, and
considering discussions held with a wide spectrum of stakeholders and
international organisations, the Commission has set out the following
primary objectives for the Action Plan:
* To give a clearer direction to EU animal welfare policies
* To continue the promotion of high animal welfare standards
* To provide better focus for the allocation of resources
* To support future trends in animal welfare research
* To continue to seek alternative solutions to animal testing
* To ensure a more consistent and coordinated approach to animal
welfare across all EU policy areas
What are the main initiatives to improve animal welfare foreseen in
the Action Plan?
The Action Plan identifies 5 broad areas for action in the field of
animal welfare for the 2006-2010 period:
* Upgrading minimum standards for animal protection and welfare
* Giving high priority to promoting policy-oriented research and the
application of the "3Rs" principle (replacement, reduction and
refinement of the use of animals in experiments) to animal testing
* Introducing standardised animal welfare indicators
* Ensuring animal handlers and the general public are more involved
and informed on animal welfare issues
* Supporting and initiating further international initiatives to
raise awareness of, and create greater consensus on, animal
welfare
In a table annexed to the Action Plan, the Commission outlines planned
specific actions to improve the protection and welfare of animals,
some of which are already underway. These include: a proposal to
update the current legislation on the inspection of farms (2006); work
to establish a European Centre-Laboratory for animal welfare and a
Community Reference Laboratory for the validation of alternative
testing methods (2006); a revision of the existing rules on animal
welfare at the time of slaughter and killing for disease control
purposes (2007); the possible establishment of a European Quality
Standard for products emanating from high animal welfare standards
(2010).
What is proposed with regard to minimum standards for animal welfare?
Minimum general standards are already set for the protection and
welfare of farm animals at EU level, with specific rules for certain
species (see below). However, the Action Plan proposes that this
legislation needs to be updated in line with latest scientific
knowledge, practical experience and progress in international fora in
advancing higher standards. It also suggests that the minimum
standards should be extended to cover species and issues currently not
adequately provided for under EU legislation. The Commission is also
currently preparing a proposal to revise and update the existing
legislation on the protection of animals used for experiments and
other scientific purposes.
What is foreseen for research in this area?
The Action Plan clearly states that any measures taken in relation to
animal welfare at EU level must be founded on a solid scientific
basis, provided through research. Moreover, if there is a lack of
information needed to develop appropriate policies, research should be
prioritised to address this gap. The 7^th EU Research Framework
Programme (FP7), currently being finalised by the Commission and
foreseen to run from 2007-2013, integrates animal welfare into its
thematic action on Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology. Further
consideration is given to animals used for research in 4 of the 9
themes: Health; Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology; Environment; and
Nanosciences, nanotechnology, materials and new production
technologies. Animal welfare related research is also being carried
out by the Joint Research Centre, in particular with regard to the
"3Rs".
What would be the potential role of a new European Centre for the
Protection and Welfare of Animals?
The Action Plan lays down the possibility for a European Centre or
Laboratory for the protection and welfare of animals. This would have
an important role in coordinating and stimulating research in the area
of animal welfare, while also acting as a "centre of excellence" for
the collection and exchange of information and best practice. The
Centre could be involved in the setting up of the new animal welfare
indicators and an EU label for animal welfare.
What action is proposed in relation to animal testing?
Around 10 million animals are used annually for research and testing,
including tests on foods and medicines. Certain provision is made for
the protection of experimental animals in EU Directive 86/609/EEC, but
updated scientific information and increasing public concern on this
issue have highlighted the need for stronger action in this area. The
Commission is currently preparing a revision of this Directive to
ensure that animals used in experimentation receive appropriate care
and humane treatment. Furthermore in 1999, the EU became party to the
Council of Europe Convention on the protection of vertebrate animals
used for experimental and other scientific purposes which is also
preparing recommendations on this issue.
An integral part of the Commission's approach to the use of animals in
experiments and research is the "3Rs" principle - replacement,
reduction and refinement of animal use. The latest initiative in this
area has been the "3Rs Declaration" agreed by the Commission and
industry in November 2005. This Declaration was the starting point of
a European partnership in which all stakeholders will seek concrete
future actions to reduce animal testing and look for alternatives.
The new Action Plan gives particular focus to the implementation of
this agreement, and a first progress report on the Partnership will be
published at the end of 2006.
Why does the Action Plan advocate standardised indicators for animal
welfare?
Standardised indicators for animal welfare would create a more level
playing field for producers across the EU, and respond to the growing
market demand for evidence of sustainably derived products. At the
moment, certain national laws and voluntary schemes are going beyond
the EU minimum standards for animal welfare, while all EU producers
must adhere to standards which may be higher than those applied in
some Third countries. A system of indicators which acknowledges that
these standards have been met or exceeded would encourage continued
improvement of animal welfare conditions and provide consumers with
more information on the added value of animal welfare in the final
product.
What would be the added value of an EU animal welfare label?
An EU label for animal welfare would allow for the better promotion of
products which have been produced in line with animal welfare
requirements, and a differentiation between those obtained with basic
mandatory animal welfare standards and those with higher standards. It
would also compensate to some extent for the competitive pressures
faced by EU producers in the increasingly globalised agricultural
market, where animal welfare obligations are extremely divergent.
A clear label identifying the level of welfare applied could prove an
effective marketing tool, and improve the information available to
consumers in the EU and internationally when making purchase choices.
A recently published Eurobarometer survey showed that 74% of consumers
believe they can improve animal welfare through their shopping
choices, and over half of all consumers surveyed stated that they
would be willing to pay more for animal welfare-friendly food
products. However, the poll also revealed that consumers found such
products difficult to identify. An EU animal welfare label would help
to address this problem.
What has already been done on animal welfare at EU level?
The first legislation on animal welfare at EU level was adopted in
1974, dealing with the protection of animals at the time of slaughter
(subsequently updated with Directive 93/119/EEC). Since then a
considerable body of EU legislation related to the treatment of
animals has built up. With regard to farm animals, general minimum
standards for their protection have been set out in Directive
98/58/EC. These rules reflect the "Five Freedoms" i.e. freedom from
hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury
and disease; freedom to express normal behaviour; and freedom from
fear and distress.
Additional specific rules are provided for calves, pigs and laying
hens, and in 2005 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council
Directive on the welfare of broiler chickens. Updated rules on the
welfare of animals in transport were already agreed in November 2004,
which clarify responsibility for the protection of animals throughout
the whole transport chain, provide for better standards for the
environment in which animals are transported, and set stricter
conditions when it comes to journeys of more than 8 hours.
What is the Protocol on Protection and Welfare of Animals annexed to
the EU Treaty?
The legally binding Protocol on Protection and Welfare of Animals,
annexed to the EU Treaty, recognises that animals are sentient beings.
It states, therefore, that full regard should be paid to animal
welfare concerns when formulating or implementing policies relating to
agriculture, transport, research and the internal market. This will be
done while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and
customs of Member States relating in particular to religious rites,
cultural traditions and religious heritage
What provision is made for the protection of animals in EU agriculture
policy?
The 2003 reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) saw a number of
measures introduced to promote the better handling and treatment of
animals. The cross-compliance principle, whereby farmers must meet
certain standards in order to receive CAP payments, covers animal
welfare standards, while extra support will be given to agricultural
practices which go beyond required animal welfare practices under EU
Rural Development policies. There are measures to provide financial
assistance to farmers in adapting to meet EU standards on animal
health, while economic support is also given to those who participate
in food quality schemes (including schemes based on high animal
welfare). A new proposal on organic farming sets out that the highest
level of animal welfare must be observed in organic production.
What provision is made for the protection of animals in EU
environmental policy?
Since the 1980s, EU environmental policies have included measures to
promote the improvement of animal welfare. These cover, amongst other
things, trapping standards, trade in wildlife, keeping zoo animals,
the import of seal pup skins and the protection of natural habitats.
Are fish covered by animal welfare legislation?
Information on the sentience of fish has gradually accumulated over
recent years. As a result, the Council of Europe has already drawn up
recommendations on the treatment of farmed fish, while the World
Organisation on Animal Health (OIE) is also preparing welfare
guidelines for farmed fish. At EU level, the Common Fisheries Policy
includes a strategy for the sustainable development of European
aquaculture which has highlighted the need to improve the welfare of
farmed fish. In August 2005, the Commission put forward a draft
Directive to improve the health of aquaculture animals.
Will the Commission ban the use of cat and dog fur in the EU?
The Commission is currently looking into ways to ban the trade of cat
and dog fur in the EU, for ethical reasons and in response to
considerable public concerns on this issue. There are many legal
issues to address before such a ban could be put in place, but the
Commission is hopeful that a European solution can be found in the
near future.
Who is responsible for checking that animal welfare standards are met?
National authorities must make sure that rules on animal welfare are
respected by all animal handlers and keepers. The EU Food and
Veterinary Office (FVO) carries out inspections to verify that the EU
legislation is properly implemented and enforced. Under the Action
Plan, training for national authorities responsible for controlling
animal welfare standards is foreseen, in addition to training already
undertaken at the national level. Third country representatives,
particularly those from developing countries, will also be invited to
participate in this training.
How has the Commission promoted better animal welfare at the
international level?
The European Commission works closely with international organisations
with the aim of boosting animal protection and welfare worldwide, and
supports work in this regard by the World Organisation for Animal
Health (OIE: 167 member countries) and the Council of Europe (45
member countries). The EU is party to various Council of Europe
Conventions for the protection of animals used for experimentation,
farm animals and the protection of animals during transport and
slaughter. The EU has also started to incorporate animal welfare into
multilateral and bilateral agreements with Third countries (e.g. Chile
and Canada).
What problems are faced at international level in terms of animal
welfare?
There is little international consensus on the importance of animal
welfare and standards applied across the world are greatly divergent.
In the globalised market, competitive distortions can arise from
differences in legislation on animal welfare standards, as it requires
more resources to ensure the proper treatment of animals. In 2002, the
EU submitted a Communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO),
stating that in raising animal welfare issues at international level,
the EU was not seeking to create new trade barriers, but to ensure
that trade does not undermine efforts to promote animal welfare or put
the EU at a competitive disadvantage due to its higher demands.
What does the Action Plan foresee for the promotion of better animal
welfare standards internationally?
The Action Plan foresees the continued support of the EU for OIE and
Council of Europe initiatives to raise the standards of animal welfare
internationally. It also proposes closer cooperation between the EU
and countries who apply high animal welfare standards, in order to
develop relationships with national authorities and stakeholders
involved and build up a bloc of international consensus on welfare
standards.
How does the EU assist exporting Developing countries in meeting EU
animal welfare standards?
Third country representatives can already partake in EU training
courses organised for Member States' competent authorities on
implementing EU animal welfare rules. The Commission has also taken
part in trade related technical assistance (TRTA) projects with
Developing countries, for example helping their experts to attend
meetings on international standard-setting, and sending EU technical
experts to Developing countries.
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