1. Health & Consumers Directorate General
EU policies on animal welfare: the future EU strategy
Andrea Gavinelli
Animal Welfare Unit

2. The Treaty on the Functioning of the EU – 1.12.2009
Article 13
“In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the requirements of animal welfare, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.”

3. XXI century evolutions in the legislative area
1974 / 1993 / 2009 Stunning and Killing
1977/1995 / 2005 Transport
1986 / 2008* Animal in experiments
1988 / Laying Hens
1991 / 1997 / Calves – Pigs welfare at farm
General farm animal protection Directive Treaty Protocol
2006 Community Action Plan
2007 Ban on trade in cat and dog fur
2007 Council Directive on broiler chickens
2009 Proposal to amend current Directive on the use of animals for scientific purposes
2009 Regulation concerning the trade in seal products
2009 Art 13 Treaty of The European Union 3 3

4. The objectives of the Animal Welfare Unit of DG Health and Consumers
Improve the welfare of animals in Europe and abroad through policy initiatives in particular for farmed animals
Act as coordinator and facilitator for EU animal protection initiatives.
Prepare EU legislation, to perform studies and to promote research programs and scientific reviews.
Raise awareness among stakeholders as well as to develop international cooperation 4

5. How is it done ?
Development of policies and legislative initiatives to maintain high welfare standards;
Act as the “Guardian of the Treaty”
Support of scientific and socio-economic studies;
Promotion of research programs and scientific reviews;
Provision of scientifically based information and advice;
Development of international cooperation. Trade assistance. 5

7. The Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals (2006 – 2010)
Introducing standardised Animal welfare indicators
Education and knowledge transfer for all involved and for the general public
Upgrading existing minimum standards for animal protection and welfare
Giving a high priority to promoting policy-orientated future research
Continue to support and initiate further international initiatives to raise awareness and create a greater consensus on animal welfare

8. The 2nd EU strategy for AW: Main issues
Enforcement
Competitiveness of farmers
Communication to consumers and stakeholders
Science and innovation
Scope of EU legislation

9. Enforcement: outcomes of the evaluation
Member States problem but…need EU supervision
Lack of awareness and training of parties concerned
Conflicts with economic interests
Complexity and rigidity of the legislation

10. Science and innovation: outcome of the evaluation
To clarify animals needs
To optimise animals needs and economic sustainability
To better disseminate
results at practical level

11. Conclusion Evaluation: wide ranging exercise
Factual collection of data and opinions
Useful recommendations for future actions
Scope
Instruments (not only legal)
Efficiency/consistency/costs

12. Our ambitions New strategy for 2011:
Defining clearly the line on future EU policies
Market oriented responding to citizens concerns
Fully integrated with other sustainable policies
Responding to the international challenges for EU producers

13. Thanks 13 13