Document type : Answer from the European Commission
Authors: Question: Clare Daly (GUE/NGL), Mick Wallace (GUE/NGL). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the Commission
Question: Is the Commission aware of the recent report on an investigation by Tras los Muros on the inhumane conditions faced by live pigs in the Spanish pig farming industry?
As the report notes, Eurobarometer’s Attitudes of Europeans Towards Animal Welfare shows that 94 % of citizens consider that ‘it is important to protect the welfare of farm animals’.
In the light of EU legislation concerning the minimum welfare conditions for farm animals, and Article 13 of the TFEU which recognises animals as sentient beings and obliges the Union to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, will the Commission take action to address the serious animal welfare concerns raised by this report?
What will the Commission do to ensure basic minimum standards of animal welfare in the Spanish pig farming industry?
The Commission is aware of the report referred to by the Honourable Members. The responsibility to implement EU animal welfare legislation lies with the Member States. The Commission is entitled to intervene if it appears that they consistently and systematically fail to comply with their obligations in this regard, and it will consider acting if there is enough evidence in that respect.
In 2017, the Commission audited Spain on pig welfare in farmsas part of the project to avoid routine tail docking. The audit also covered minimum welfare standards on farm management, pig health, hygiene, air quality and enforcement. On the basis of the outcome, the Commission issued six recommendations, which are still being followed-up. The audit report is publicly available on the Commission’s website.
In a letter sent to the Spanish competent authorities in May 2020 about the Farm to Fork strategy, the Commission pointed out the importance of the proper implementation and enforcement of EC law on the critical area of animal welfare.
The Commission recommendations to Spain in view of their strategic plan for the common agricultural policy(3) also identifies concerns with respect to animal welfare in Spain, mostly in the pig sector, and highlight the importance of improving it by promoting and supporting best practices, knowledge and investments.
