AW Strategy 2012 -2015

EUROPEAN LIVESTOCK AND MEAT TRADES UNION

UECBV

19th January 2012: the EC adopted a new four-year strategy (2012-2015) on AW in the form of a Commission Communication to the EP and the Council that is geared to further improve the protection and welfare of animals in the European Union.

The strategy highlights the importance of reinforcing actions that the Commission has already carried out such as:

- enhance tools to strengthen Member States' compliance with existing legislation,

- provide consumers with better information enabling them to make more informed and empowered choices,

- develop further marketing strategies including EU trading partners.

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Animal Welfare Strategy

Main findings:

• Lack of enforcement of EU legislation by the Member States is still common in a number of areas

• Consumers' lack of appropriate information on animal welfare aspects.

• Many stakeholders lack sufficient knowledge about animal welfare

• Gaps in EU legislation which make it harder to ensure adequate welfare conditions for some categories of animals.

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Animal Welfare Strategy

EU Strategic Actions:

The strategy is based on two complementary approaches:

1. A holistic approach by considering the possibility of establishing a new EU legislative framework for animal welfare.

2. Reinforcement of existing EU actions in certain areas.

In addition, simplification of legislative framework by: • Develop tools, including where relevant implementing plans, to strengthen

Member States' compliance.• Support international cooperation.• Provide consumers and the public with appropriate information.• The establishment of European Network of Reference centers • Optimize synergistic effects from current Common Agriculture Policy.

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Animal Welfare Strategy

Actions foreseen for the next years with interest to the AEMB:

• 2012: EU implementing rules or guidelines on the protection of animals during transport

• 2012: Implementing plan and enforcement actions on the grouping of sows (Directive 2008/120/EC)

• 2012: Implementing plan for the slaughter regulation [Council Regulation (EC) No.1099/2009]

• 2013: Study on animal welfare education and on information activities directed at the general public and consumers

• 2014: Possible legislative proposal for a simplified EU legislative framework for animal welfare

• 2014: Report on the impact of animal welfare international activities on the competitiveness of European livestock producers in a globalized world

• 2014: EU guidelines or implementing rules on the protection of animals at the time of killing

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Animal Welfare Strategy

Next steps:

• 29Febuary-1March 2012: Commission/Danish Presidency conference on the EU animal welfare strategy - "Implementing animal welfare through the new EU strategy: consumer empowerment and market opportunities" in Brussels.

• EP debate: COMAGRI rapporteur: PAULSEN Marit, MEP (March-April 2012)

• Council debate: the EC communication will be examined at the working party level and conclusions by the Ministers are expected at the Council meeting of May.

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Animal Welfare Strategy

www.uecbv.eu

Thank you very much for your attention!