Animal welfare ranks second-after ‘sustainability,’ especially in agriculture-on the European list of buzzwords.
‘In 2008, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) provided the following definition of the Animal welfare: ‘An animal presents a satisfactory state of well-being if it is healthy, comfortable, well-fed, safe, able to hold the innate behavior [naturale] and if it does not suffer discomfort attributable to e.g. pain, fear, suffering’. The concept of animal welfare is inscribed in Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which recognizes animals as sentient beings.’ (1)
Pending a European ‘policy’ – which could be followed by the implementation of new rules, 7-8 years from now – an online public consultation by the European Commission is reported. Only consumAtors can turn the tide.
Animal welfare, ad maiora
The Farm to Fork strategy, announced in Brussels on 5/20/20, included the development of a proposal to revise animal welfare rules in 2023. It is not yet clear whether the Commission will present a Green Paper, where it will introduce a new ‘strategy’ for urbi et orbi consultation, or a White Paper (building on the consultations already underway), or whether it will directly adopt a set of proposals (regulations and/or directives).
In the latter, most ‘expeditious’ and perhaps likely scenario, the texts are likely to be considered in the first reading by Parliament and the Council in late 2024-early 2025. Following the installation of the new MEPs and the formation of the new parliamentary committees, following the next European elections scheduled for May 2024. The second reading could take place in the first half of 2026, and-if agreement is reached more or less quickly between Parliament, the Council, and the Commission-the new texts could be published in the Official Journal by the end of that year. With a transition period, for their effective implementation, that is reasonable to expect in the next biennium.
European Counts, ABC of Deficiencies
The European Court of Auditors, in its 2018 Special Report on Animal Welfare, highlights a number of shortcomings whose responsibility is primarily attributed to member states: (1)
A) failure to achieve minimum animal welfare standards. Hence the suggestion to ‘better employ‘ CAP funding,
B) lack of official public veterinary controls in some areas, (2)
(C) deficient enforcement, with regard to
– herds (e.g., tail cutting and castration of pigs),
– transport (with attention to long-distance transport and transport of unfit animals),
– slaughter (e.g., exemptions for ritual slaughter without stunning, inappropriate stunning practices).
Better late than never, by the end of 2020 the European Commission is expected to publish a report on the EU Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015. (3) Also taking into account, in theory, comments collected in an online public consultation concluded on 6/22/20.
Online public consultation
The fitness check (review) on animal welfare legislation has also been initiated in order to assess the suitability of existing rules. (4)
All interested social partners, including citizens, can express their views by 7/29/20 by following the link https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12400-Fitness-Check-of-the-EU-legislation-on-animal-welfare-.
Animal husbandry, the competing interests
The European Commission-in continuing consultations and chatter, that is, wasting time instead of adopting regulatory proposals-is doing the bidding of the strong powers. The giga-industry of German corporations and the global financial giants, the latter of which impose on politics the green light for imports from the American continent-US, Canada, Brazil-of products derived from the most vicious exploitation of farm animals.
Animals fed on animal meal and pesticide-laden GMO soybeans, i.e., grazed in purposefully burned forests. Growth hormones and veterinary drugs banned in Europe for decades, to boot. And various other amenities, including washing the carcasses of sick chickens Made in the USA in chlorine.
European animal husbandry has conversely expressed interest To invest in the sustainability of supply chains and animal welfare, with the idea of bringing value and distinguishing productions Made in Europe. Which are already distinguished by the application of strict discipline, with regard to animal health and food safety, subject to, among other things recent reform.
The invisible cleaver of the market
Moreover, in the absence of adequate support, under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), it is difficult to foresee substantial investments in the expected directions. All the more so when one considers that livestock farmers, rarely aggregated into large consortia and/or cooperatives, continue to face competition-under socio-environmentaldumping conditions-from global giants.
Price volatility, lack of interprofessional agreements, imbalance of bargaining power with large customers, and unfair trade practices-whose prohibition, provided for in EU Directive 2019/633, has not yet been implemented in Italy-complete the scenario. And if tens of thousands of farmers today are struggling to survive, not only animal welfare but also food sovereignty stands little chance.
The role of consumAtors
ConsumAtors, in this scenario, are perhaps the only ones who can overturn the invisible boon of the market. Choosing products that come from short supply chains, from animals (and fish) raised without antibiotics. All the better if organic.
However, we need to break free from the ‘price drug’ and recognize the value of those who respect the rights of workers, animals and the environment. Sea bream and sea bass raised in Italy, to recall an example, cannot cost as little as those from Greece. But farm densities and antibiotic levels are incomparable. Every consumption choice therefore has its own impact for which we, every day, are responsible.
Dario Dongo and Marina De Nobili
Notes
(1) European Court of Auditors. Animal welfare in the EU: bridging the gap between ambitious targets and practical implementation, Special Report 31/2018.
(2) An observation on the current situation in Italy emerges from the Court of Auditors’ report. It is still possible to exclude pig farms with fewer than 40 pigs or 6 sows and goat, sheep and cattle (except calves) farms with fewer than 50 livestock from animal welfare checks. Given the fragmentation of farms in Sardinia, 85% of pig farms, 67% of goat farms, and 86% of cattle farms (except calves) are effectively excluded from such audits
(3) European Commission. Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012-2015. Communication COM/2012/06 final
(4) Directive 98/58/EC on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. Dir. 1999/74/EC, Establishing minimum standards for the protection of laying hens. Dir. 2007/43/EC, establishing minimum standards for the protection of chickens raised for meat production. Dir. 2008/120/EC, Establishing minimum standards for the protection of pigs. Directive 2008/119/EC, Establishing minimum standards for the protection of calves. Reg. EC 1/2005, on the protection of animals during transport. Reg. EC 1099/2009, on the protection of animals during killing
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in law in Trento, she follows a master's degree in food law at Roma Tre. She is passionate about food and wine, she is between culture and tradition.
