On 7.12.20, the EU Council, under the German presidency, instructed the European Commission to prepare a proposal for animal welfare-related labeling, with a special logo and harmonized indications. (1)
The only labels today that can offer effective guarantees on so-called animal welfare are those for organic products. Precisely because they subject to cogent and uniform rules (2,3). Objective information on breeding conditions could trigger a virtuous circle, which would also have positive effects on the profitability of production.
The real challenge is to identify correct information criteria consistent with animal welfare objectives, when we are still waiting for a European strategy in this regard. (4) An in-depth study.
Animal welfare, expectations betrayed
82 percent of Europeans surveyed by Eurobarometer consider it necessary to raise animal welfare standards. 52% ask for appropriate information, on the label, about farming methods. (5) To the point that European citizens’ attentions to the CAP (European Agricultural Policy) prioritize sustainability and animal welfare over food security. (6)
However, the reality is far from expectations. The Covid-19 outbreak in Europe’s largest slaughterhouse in Germany has opened Pandora’s box on the lack of controls in the leading meat-producing country. Back in 2018, the EU Court of Auditors, in turn, denounced poor enforcement of official public rules and controls. (7)
From Farm to Fork to Green Deal, awaiting funding
The EU Farm to Fork (f2f) strategy , presented in Brussels on 5/20/20, refers to the ‘pressing need‘ to improve animal welfare. However, the (non-)reform of the Common Agricultural Policy 2021-2027 fails to fund this priority. Supply chain operators would then have to shoulder the burdens of the ecological and animal welfare-friendly transition themselves, subject to news from the Recovery Fund (now #NextGenerationEU). (9)
The #EUGreenDeal presented on 11.12.19 by the Von der Leyen Commission, in turn, lists ‘Actions to enhance animal welfare or address antimicrobial resistance, feed additives to decrease emissions from enteric fermentation‘ among the targets(Target ‘g‘ See note 10).
Farming practices focused on combating antibiotic resistance (e.g., Algatan) and reducing enteric greenhouse gas emissions could then be funded through special eco-schemes, in the Green Deal budget.
Animal welfare labelling, EU Council conclusions
The EU Council, in its conclusions 19.10.20 on the Farm to Fork Strategy (12099/20), had stressed that ‘animalhealth and welfare is a precondition for sustainable animal production.’ In its subsequent conclusions 7.12.20 onanimal welfare labeling, the institution representing member state governments therefore called on the European Commission to:
– Establish at the EU Platform on Animal Welfare a sub-working group dedicated to Animal Welfare Labeling. To analyze existing certification systems and assess their impacts on animal welfare,
– To contract out to external contractors a special study on EU-wide animal welfare label, to be launched in early 2021. (1)
EU animal welfare labeling, what criteria?
The EU animal welfare labeling system-with relevant logo attribution and use of claims subject to special protected discipline-must reflect, according to the Council, a real improvement in the quality of life of animals. Based on relevant, verifiable and EU-harmonized criteria and claims that should:
– exceed the current minimum requirements of animal welfare prescribed in the EU, – take into account the geographic and climatic specificities of the member states, in the provision of criteria that are feasible for all, – do not put at a (competitive) disadvantage operators in member states where there is already stricter animal welfare legislation in place than hitherto established in the EU,
– Gradually include all animal species, throughout the entire course of their lives, including transport and slaughter stages. With priority given to supply chains already subject to EU animal welfare regulations,
– Integrate into the EU-wide animal welfare label the animal welfare provisions in the EU regulations on organic production and the common organization of markets in agricultural products (12,13),
– consider the interaction with existing national regulations and any administrative burdens associated with such a labeling system.
Dario Dongo and Giulia Torre
Notes
(1) Council of the European Union. Conclusions on an EU-wide animal welfare label – Approval. (13691/20). 7.12.20, https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-13691-2020-INIT/en/pdf
(2) Dario Dongo. Organic meat, ABC vs. fake news in La Stampa. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 7.5.18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/carne-biologica-abc-vs-fake-news-su-la-stampa
(3) Donato Ferrucci, Dario Dongo. Organic controls in Italy, the ABCs and data. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 7.3.19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/controlli-bio-in-italia-l-abc-e-i-dati
(4) Dario Dongo, Marina De Nobili. Animal welfare, ad maiora. The role of ConsumActors. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 10.7.20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/consum-attori/benessere-animale-ad-maiora-il-ruolo-dei-consumattori
(5) EU, DG Communication (2016). Special Eurobarometer 442: Attitudes of Europeans toward Animal Welfare. https://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2096_84_4_442_ENG
(6) EU, DG Communication (2018). Special Eurobarometer 473: Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP. https://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2161_88_4_473_ENG
(7) EU Court of Auditors. Animal welfare in the EU: bridging the gap between ambitious goals and practical implementation. Special Report 31/2018. 11/14/18, https://www.eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECADocuments/SR18_31/SR_ANIMAL_WELFARE_IT.pdf
(8) Dario Dongo, Marina De Nobili. Farm to Fork special, the strategy presented in Brussels on 5/20/20. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 5/24/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/speciale-farm-to-fork-la-strategia-presentata-a-bruxelles-il-20-5-20
(9) Dario Dongo, Silvia Giordanengo. EU Budget 2021-2027 and #NextGenerationEU, focus on rural development and CAP funding. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/mercati/bilancio-ue-2021-2027-e-nextgenerationeu-focus-su-sviluppo-rurale-e-finanziamento-della-pac
(10) European Commission (2021). List of potential agricultural practices that eco-schemes could support. https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/factsheet-agri-practices-under-ecoscheme_en.pdf
(11) Reg. EU 2018/848, on organic products and their labelling
(12) Reg. EU 1308/2013, so-called Single CMO (Common Organization of Consumption).
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in law, master in European Food Law, she deals with agro-food, veterinary and agricultural legislation. She is a PhD in agrisystem.
