Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals

Transcription

1 GEN/06/033 Annex 3 Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals Andrea Gavinelli - Unit D2 Animal Welfare and Feed Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection - European Commission The views expressed here are purely those of the writer and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission.

2 Introduction Growing public concern EUROBAROMETER Animals are sentient beings International development (OIE, IFC) CAP reform 2

3 Main objectives Clear road map for Promoting AW at international level Greater coordination of resources More consistent approach of different aspects including socio-economic impacts 3

4 Five areas of action 1. Upgrading standards and secure enforcement 2. Developing Research: reinforce scientific knowledge 3. Introducing animal welfare indicators 4. Informing and promoting AW 5. Supporting international initiatives / raise standards outside the EU 4

5 Standards and Enforcement Many species not yet covered by specific EU law (dairy herds) Animal Welfare part of OFFC CAP (cross-compliance, RD, organic farming, etc.) Impact assessment 5

6 Research A European Reference Centre for the protection and welfare of animals Welfare indicators: development, certification, practical use, understanding of the value of their implementation in the FC Labelling AW 6

7 Welfare Quality : Science and society 39 Institutes in 13 Countries Improving animal welfare in the food quality chain from fork to farm The standards for on-farm welfare assessment and information systems will be based upon consumer demands, the marketing requirements of retailers and stringent scientific validation. 7

8 Aims and objectives Welfare Quality project 1.To develop practical strategies/measures to improve animal welfare 2.To develop a European on-farm welfare assessment standard 3.To develop a European animal welfare information standard. 4.To integrate and interrelate the most appropriate specialist expertise in the multidisciplinary field of animal welfare in Europe 8

9 Some Welfare Quality research objectives: To analyse consumer concerns about food animal welfare, the type of information demanded, and the most effective communication and information strategy; To evaluate the current and potential market for welfare friendly animal based food products, welfare label characteristics, and inspection systems; To identify potential barriers to the development of animal friendly products faced by producers; To develop robust on-farm welfare monitoring systems and information standards for selected farm animal species; 9

10 Why AW indicators? Measurable and objective Easy to use from the farm to the slaughter plant Easy to communicate Allowing comparison between different standards applied 10

11 Information and promotion EUROBAROMETER survey Consumer expectations vs. knowledge Consumer choice Further training and awareness 11

12 An informed farmer and general public: the best advocates for AW Establishment of a specific information platform on animal welfare Dialogue and exchange of experiences between stakeholders 12

13 International initiatives AW and competitiveness of EU producers Working with the OIE Promoting EU values at WTO and through bilateral agreements Creating opportunities for Developing Countries 13

14 Animal welfare: A contribution to Sustainable Development International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group): Preparation of a Good Practice Note: Creating Business Opportunity Through Improved Animal Welfare: Extensive and sustainable agricultural systems, with good standards of animal welfare, are still the predominant form of livestock production in many developing countries Raising knowledge on AW creates opportunities for trade, within the EU and worldwide 14

15 Good AW: an economic burden or competitive advantage? EU AW standards perceived as being among the highest in the world Will the market reward producers, how can the industry and governments market our high quality products? 15

16 Thank you for your attention For more details consult our website: Ongoing initiatives and legislative references Links to EFSA and OIE websites 16