FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
U.S. MISSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

 Last update: June 27, 2008

Home  |  A-Z Index   |  Mission |  Staff  |  FAS Offices in the EU  |  Euro Exchange Rates

Exporter Guides  |  Finding EU Legislation  |  Links to EU & US Websites  |  Tips for Travelers 

EU Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010

On January 23, 2006, the European Commission adopted the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals.  This Action Plan includes a 5-year legislative work plan (2006-2010) that outlines EU policy initiatives for implementing animal welfare principles in all EU sectors and in relations with third countries.  Animal welfare principles are set out by the Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals annexed to the Treaty of Amsterdam (in force since May 1999).  The Protocol recognizes that animals are sentient beings and stipulates that "In formulating and implementing the Community's agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies, the Community and the Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage."  

The Action Plan provides initiatives in 5 broad areas 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 standardized 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.

A detailed work plan for executing the objectives of the Action Plan is included in the Commission's Communication to the European Parliament and the Council.

	European Parliament Report on a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 (Sept. 2006)
	Press Release: Speech by Health & Consumer Protection Commissioner Kyprianou: "Animal Welfar-e - A part of EU food chain policy"

Animal Welfare Labeling

In a concluding speech at a conference on animal welfare labeling, Health Commissioner Kyprianou stated that animal welfare labeling is a top priority for the Commission.  According to a Eurobarometer survey on attitudes to animal welfare, EU consumers are willing to change their shopping habits and even pay more for animal welfare friendly products.  The survey also reported that consumers find it difficult to distinguish between products on animal welfare grounds and favor the idea of labeling or logos to indicate the animal welfare standards on packaging.   

The European Commission is currently studying several animal welfare labeling options.  At the conference, Commissioner Kyprianou said that the Commission is considering introducing a two-tier system for animal welfare labeling.  One system would establish a mandatory labeling scheme to identify products that meet EU animal welfare standards.  A second system would introduce a voluntary labeling scheme for products that go beyond what is required by existing EU legislation.  It is not clear yet whether the animal welfare labeling rules will be proposed as a separate proposal or as part of the upcoming general food labeling review and whether the scheme would only apply to primary cuts or if it would also apply to processed meat products.     

On-line Consultation 

In 2005, the European Commission launched an on-line consultation to assess the level of public awareness on animal welfare issues.  Two questions in the questionnaire related to third countries: “Do you believe that the EU should do more to promote a greater awareness of animal welfare/protection internationally” and “Do you believe that imported foods should be produced under conditions of animal welfare/protection at least as high as those produced in your country”.  Participants in the survey were also asked what results they would expect to see if animal welfare standards were to become a greater consideration in food production.  The results of the on-line consultation have been published on the Commission's website. 

Welfare Quality Project 

The EU is also funding the “Welfare Quality” project about the integration of animal welfare in the food quality chain.  The project focuses on 3 main species and their products: cattle (beef and dairy), pigs, and poultry (broiler chickens and laying hens).  The research program is designed to develop European standards for on-farm welfare assessment and product information systems as well as practical strategies for improving animal welfare.  The project started in May 2004 and will take five years to complete.

The Welfare Quality Project is hosting a second Stakeholder conference in Berlin, Germany (May 3-4, 2007): "Animal Welfare: from societal concerns to implementation".  For more information see www.welfarequality.net/everyone/36059.

Reports

Links

- International Forum on Global Aspects of Farm Animal Welfare - April 22-23, 2008 Brussels, Belgium - Presentations (Updated June 2008) NEW
- Communication from the Commission on the various systems of rearing laying hens (January 8, 2008)
- Council Directive 2007/43/EC laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production (June 28, 2007)
- Factsheet: Animal welfare - Ensuring the humane and responsible treatment of farmed animals (March 2007)
- Animal welfare - surveys of public attitudes - European Commission (DG Sanco)
- EC supported seminars and conferences
- DG Consumers & Health Protection - Animal Welfare
- Animal Welfare: A Part of EU Food Chain Policy - International Conference on Animal Welfare -March 30, 2006
- COPA & COGECA request a coherent EU animal welfare approach (COPA-COGECA Press Release Feb. 20, 2006)
- Improving Animal Welfare: EU Action Plan Adopted (Commission Press Release)
- Questions & Answers on the Action Plan on the Protection of Animal Welfare (Commission Press Release)
- EU Animal Health Strategy (2007-2013) - Community Animal Health Policy (CAHP) Evaluation
- Eurobarometer "Consumer attitudes towards the welfare of farmed animals" (European Commission)
- Eurogroup for animal welfare