1. Animal welfare: different approaches in EU Rural Development Programmes
30th of November 2017
Antonia Lütteken
DG Agriculture and Rural Development
European Commission

2. Union Strategic Priorities for Rural Development
1. Knowledge transfer and innovation
2. Economic viability and competitiveness
SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
6. Diversification and social inclusion
3. Food chain organisation and risk management
5. Resource efficiency and climate change
4. Restoring, preserving, and enhancing ecosystems 2 2 2

3. Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020
Funding of the Common Agricultural Policy
(in bill EURO – current prices)
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
Pillar: Market Measures and Direct Payments (EAGF)
312.74
77%
of which Direct Payments
252.24
[62%]
Pillar: Rural Development (EAFRD)
95.58
23%
Total
408.32
100%
(38 % of MFF) 3

4. Allocation of Budget by Priority
EAFRD (Reg. (EU) No 1305/2013)
Allocation of Budget by Priority
Knowledge Transfer and Innovation (cross cutting)
Technical Assistance 3%
Farm viability, competi-tiveness, sustainable forests
Farm viability
20%
Social inclusion, poverty reduction, local development
Social inclusion
15%
Food chain, animal welfare, risk management
Food chain
& risk
manage- ment
10%
Resource efficiency, low carbon and climate resilience
Ressource efficiency
and climate 8%
Ecosystems in agriculture and forestry
Ecosystems
44% 4 4

5. Broad Categories of Rural Development Measures
Investments
Land management
Knowledge Transfer
Working together 5 5

6. Animal Welfare – one of 20 measures under EAFRD
Legal basis Art. 34 of Reg. (EU) No /2013 (Rural Development Regulation)
Mostly programmed under Priority 3 "Food chain, animal welfare, risk management"
Farmers are supported for the additional costs / income foregone for providing animal welfare that goes beyond legal requirements
Targeted animals are bovines, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, equines and rabbits
Max premia 500 €/ LU (Annex II of Reg. (EU) No 1305/2013

7. State of Play of implementation
Animal Welfare (M 14) is currently programmed in 34 RDPs (28 MS)
1.57 % of total public expenditure in Rural Development
Also other rural development measures can be used to improve animal welfare e.g. investments in better stables or other animal facilities, training or advisory services. (Secondary effect)

8. State of play

9. Areas of upgraded standards of production methods (I)
Water, feed and animal care in accordance with the natural needs of animal husbandry;
housing conditions, such as increased space allowances, flooring surfaces, enrichment materials, natural light;

10. Areas of upgraded standards of production methods (II)
outdoor access;
practices which avoid mutilation and/or castration of animals, or, when necessary, provide for the use of anaesthetics, analgesia and anti-inflammatory medication or immunocastration.

11. Main challenges for Measure 14
Raise awareness among farmers and Member States of the importance of this measure and possible economic benefits
Differences of baseline requirements
Make a clear separation between
baseline requirements and paid
commitments
Develop mechanisms that make
control of compliance more efficient

12. Examples of payments: Space for a fattening pig of over 120 kg (mostly in package with other activities)
RDP
Baseline
Commitment
Payment (per LU)
Baden-Württemberg
1.0 m²
1.6 m² (basic)
2.4 m² (premium)
75 € (basic)
117 € (premium)
Calabria
1.6 m²
2.0 m²
Part of a package
Slovakia
1.1 m²
20 €
Slovenia
33.83 €

13. Considerations for policy development (I)
Promote package approaches to maximise synergies between different Animal Welfare commitments.

14. Package approach in Sweden
Sweden combines actions on herd level, group level and individual level:
For cows, there is a hoof care plan at herd level and individual hoof care for each animal
For sheep: production plan and feed analysis at herd level, a
feeding plan at group level and condition
scoring and an extra shearing for each animal
For sows: production plan and feed analysis
at herd level and condition
scoring for each animal

15. Considerations for policy development (II)
Integrate Advisory Services in the measure to improve compliance (include in eligibility conditions and / or link
M 14 & M 02):
Slovenia has implemented a system where it is an eligibility condition for payments to receive advice on how to implement the Animal Welfare measure

16. Considerations for policy development (III)
Integrate Animal Welfare in a Rural Development scheme where it is combined with other measures:
In the UK, RD payments are administered through so-called Countryside Stewardship schemes which combine actions under several measures.
This makes best use of synergies and reduces the administrative burden both for farmers and Managing Authorities.

17. Thank you very much for your attention. https://ec. europa