The European Commission has created a dedicated animal welfare platform
EU Farm Ministers will today (6 March) meet and talk about views on a the creation of a new EU-wide animal welfare platform.
In a move intended to promote animal welfare throughout the EU, the European Commission has created a dedicated animal welfare platform – a discussion forum where stakeholders like farmers, processors, retailers, academics and a variety of NGOs can meet and find consensus out of the ‘seemingly conflicting’ views of the various interest groups.
The EU has some of the highest welfare standards in the world for transport which European farmers comply with.
Speaking in Brussels, co-operative Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said: “We believe that it is important to bring these high animal welfare standards at international level.
“EU farmers are also involved in different voluntary initiatives and guidelines for the transport of animals which go beyond EU legislation.”
“We consequently welcome the setting up of the new EU animal welfare platform which enables key stakeholders to exchange information.
“The platform should focus on ensuring proper implementation and harmonisation of existing EU rules rather than creating new legislation. Future developments on animal welfare need to centre on simplifying existing legislation, giving more flexibility to operators and reducing the high administrative costs they suffer.
“In view of our strong involvement, we believe that European farmers and their cooperatives must be well represented on this platform,” he added.
A poll by the RSPCA has revealed eight out of ten people want UK animal welfare laws improved or at least kept the same after we leave the EU.