EU Animal Welfare Strategy 2012 - 2015

Animal based measures: perspectives and expectations from the Commission

Andrea Gavinelli

Unit G3 Animal Welfare

Directorate General Health and Consumers

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EU Animal Welfare Strategy

2012 - 2015

Indicators

•Welfare Quality project •prescriptive requirements

Animal welfare LAW

Background and a new trend

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2010: The European Parliament evaluates the achievements of the European Commission and calls for further progress

• In 2010 the EP fully supports the achievements of the 2006 Action Plan

• Calls for a new EU Strategy to fully integrate animal welfare in EU policies with:

1. A EU framework law on Animal Welfare;

2. A European Network of Reference Centres;

3. Stricter enforcement of the legislation;

4. Use of indicators to evaluate AW;

5. Application of equivalent standards to imported products.

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Public expectations on ABM are high. WHY ?

o Strong demand to improve AW for species where no EU standards exist

o To respond to the increasing of the expectations of the citizens: AW as “public good” with more efficiency and transparency

o To reduce costs derived by the application of the legislation and allow uniform EU enforcement

o To workout the matrix for international “equivalency” for AW

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Children and the “Five freedoms”: a natural instinct

Farmland website

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Visits in the last 6 months

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Key features of the new EU strategy (2012-2015)

A new approach having a long term effect:

• Oriented to competitiveness of the agriculture and the quality of production, increasing citizens’ knowledge.

The strategy recognizes that consumers behaviour rewarding

farmers represent one of the most important drivers for animal welfare investments.

More power to the consumers, more transparency and adequacy of information on animal welfare for their purchase choice!

The Commission has integrated the EP recommendations in the Strategy 2012/2015

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Objectives of the new strategy

Why the Commission proposes to integrate ABM in future legislation?

1. Scientifically validated: Welfare Quality and risk assessment. Evaluation by EFSA

2. Already present in some legislation (chicken for meat, slaughter);

3. Internationally recognised by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health)

TARGET: Simplify the EU legal framework and enhance enforcements of EU legislation by Member States.

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ABM currently in EU legislation

1. The broilers welfare directive:

TARGET: Ensuring that the welfare of broilers is improved minimizing the impact on the sector.

• New experience for the legislator

• Shared responsibility between slaughter operators and farmers

• Data and knowledge on broilers welfare improving every day

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Thanks to ABM the new animal welfare LAW aims to:

Simplification of the EU acquis:

1. More flexibility – a matrix for more species and several situations

2. Less costs of compliance

Better enforcement:

1. More systematic approach (more welfare)

2. Trust in the food chain (farmers involved)

3. Transparency – better understanding of the improvements by “welfare clients”

European Network of Reference Centres and ABM:

1. Technical support in the use of AW indicators;

2. Training courses for staff – Easy access to information;

3. Coordination of EU research on ABM and knowledge transfer.

TARGET: Support Member States and take action to improve compliance to EU legislation, better use of scientific and technical resources.

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And the ABM management?

Are the veterinarians ready for ABM?AW workshop for vet practitioners

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The EU wishes on ABM?

• Improve animal welfare and respond to citizens continuous demands;

• Integration of AW policies with the main themes of sustainability of EU policies;

• More transparency and competitiveness for products with high added value of AW;

• Better distribution of additional costs of AW along the food chain;

• Better use of resources of the CAP.

So ...!!!

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Boost marketing of products with

welfare qualities

… still unknown by many

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...and feeling HAPPY !