2nd EU AW Strategy (2011-2015)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Health and Consumer e-News (26-01-2011) : Commission prepares ground for second EU Animal Welfare Strategy (2011-2015) and organises stakeholder meeting

Animal Health & Welfare

Commission prepares ground for second EU Animal Welfare Strategy (2011-2015) and organises stakeholder meeting

The European Commission is preparing the ground to update its animal welfare policies within the framework of the second five-year EU strategy on the protection and welfare of animals, which is to be adopted at the end of the year.

Next Monday, 31 January, an external consultant will present in Brussels the results of a study on the evaluation of the European Union's animal welfare policies. During the meeting, the Commission will present possible policy options for the EU Animal Welfare strategy for the period 2011-2015.

The Commission informed the Member States on the state of play of the ongoing impact assessment and the finalised evaluation during a meeting on 17 January 2011.

In November 2009, the Commission asked an external consultant to evaluate the EU policy on Animal Welfare with reference to farm animals, experimental animals, pet animals and wild animals, which are kept in captivity or submitted to treatments controlled by humans. The evaluation was completed in December 2010 and will be used as the basis for the new strategy (formerly known as EU action plan).

The first Community Action Plan (2006-2010) on the Protection and Welfare of Animals mirrored the Commission's commitment to EU citizens, stakeholders, the European Parliament and the Council by providing a clear map of the Commission's planned animal welfare initiatives for that period. The second strategy will follow this path and consultation of stakeholders will be taking place at all stages of the drafting process.

For more information on the EU's animal welfare policies, in general, and the evaluation in particular, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/actionplan/actionplan_en.htm

Looking back the first Community legislation on farm animal welfare was adopted in 1974 to reflect the basic five freedoms (freedom from discomfort, from hunger and thirst, from fear and distress, from pain, injury and disease and freedom to express natural behaviour).

Since the new Treaty on the functioning of the European Union entered into force in 2009, animals are defined as sentient beings and must be respected in the EU decision-making process.

To ensure that animal welfare policies were respected on long term in the strategies of the EU, a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals was adopted in 2006.

Community Action Plan 2006-2010

The Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, adopted by the European Commission on 23 January 2006, embodies the Commission's commitment to EU citizens, stakeholders, the European Parliament and the Council for a clear map of the Commission’s planned animal welfare initiatives for the coming years. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010

Commission working document on a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 Strategic basis for the proposed actions

Commission Staff Working Document Impact Assessment of a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010

May 2010: the European Parliament opinion on the 2006 Action Plan

The evaluation of the EU Policy on Animal Welfare (EU PAW)

In November 2009, the Commission mandated an external consultant to evaluate the EU policy on Animal Welfare with reference to farm animals, experimental animals, pet animals and wild animals which are kept in captivity or submitted to a treatment which is controlled by humans. The evaluation was completed in December 2010 and will be used as a basis for a future EU action plan (now called the strategy).

For the results and background of the evaluation performed by the external consultant, see: www.eupaw.eu

Preparing for a second EU Strategy on the protection and welfare of animals 2011-2015

From January 2011 the Commission is preparing a second EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals (2011-2015) foreseen to be adopted in December 2011.

The Commission organised a meeting with the Member States (on 17.1.2011) and with the main EU stakeholders (on 31.1.2011) to present the result of an evaluation on the EU policy for animal welfare carry out by an external consultant as well as present the possible policy options for the future strategy.

For the possible policy options for the future strategy see the power point presentation (for stakeholders):

Strategy for animal welfare: problems, impacts and policy options to be assessed