Public consultation on the draft revision of animal welfare legislation has begun. (1) All European citizens can participate by registering and posting their comments on the appropriate webpage by 1/31/22.
The European Commission-also taking into account, at least in theory, these contributions-should then adopt a proposal to be submitted to Parliament and the Council, in the fourth quarter of 2023. With a planned delay that, as noted earlier, will delay reform until the next legislature. (2)
Animal welfare, Stella Kyriakides’ call for public consultation.
Improving animal welfare is one of several pieces of the Farm to Fork strategy, itself part of the
European Green Deal
. And it is a crucial element, above all, in the One Health strategy for safeguarding human, animal and environmental health. (3)
‘Animal welfare is one of my political priorities‘ and ‘your voice has come through loud and clear with the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative,’ says Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, who on the occasion invites everyone to have their say.
EU animal welfare legislation, moving forward slowly
The European citizens’ initiative on the elimination of cages on farms is symptomatic of the times in Brussels. 1.4 million signatures were collected in one year from September 2018, then validated by member states and submitted in October 2020 to the Commission. Which, after a favorable nod in May 2021, postponed the adoption of a proposal until September 2023.
The areas of focus beyond cages have long been known. The Commission itself acknowledged this in its report 31.3.21 on the (in)effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015. (4)
Animal welfare, ancient gaps
The Brussels report acknowledges that ‘most of the problems and factors identified by the strategy as relevant in 2012 continue to be relevant today.’ The European executive then proposes to take action on the following macro-areas:
– Improve compliance in all member states in some risk areas, such as animal transport, tail cutting of pigs, certain stunning methods. In this last regard, we recall EFSA Opinion 3.11.20, ”
Welfare of cattle at slaughter
‘,
– Inform consumers about animal welfare, including through appropriate food labeling. A topic moreover proposed by the EU Council on 7.12.20, we recall, under the German presidency,
– Strengthen international cooperation by overcoming the reluctance of some third countries to adopt animal welfare standards comparable to EU standards,
– optimize synergies with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2021-27 and make better use of the tools it offers (on a voluntary basis) to improve animal welfare standards in animal husbandry.
Antibiotic resistance
The occasion may also be worth taking stock of antibiotic resistance. In particular, verifying the effectiveness of the Veterinary Medicines Package (EU Regulations 2019/4, 2019/5, 2019/6. See footnote 5), including in light of annual monitoring by ECDC, EFSA and EMA.
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Notes
( 1 ) https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12950-Animal-welfare-revision-of-EU-legislation_en
(2) 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
(3) Dario Dongo. One Health. Animal, human, planetary health and welfare. What can we do? GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 2.6.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/consum-attori/one-health-salute-e-benessere-animale-umano-planetario-cosa-possiamo-fare
(4) Commission Staff Working Document Executive Summary of the Evaluation of the European Union Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012-2015. 31.3.21. https://ec.europa.eu/food/system/files/2021-04/aw_eu_strategy_exec_summ_04042021_en.pdf
(5) Giulia Torre, Dario Dongo. Antibiotic resistance, veterinary medicines, and animal welfare. The ABCs of the new rules. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 2.6.21.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
