Document type : Written answer from the European Commission
Authors: Question: Peter Lundgren (ECR). Answer: European Commission
Question: During the informal meeting of agriculture ministers in Koblenz in September 2020 the issue of animal welfare labelling was discussed. The German Presidency pointed out that consumer demand for products made in line with higher animal welfare standards has increased in the EU. The discussions touched on what a common label should deliver, what it should look like and what criteria it should meet. The Presidency hoped to come up with Council conclusions as early as November 2020, including rules for a mandatory animal welfare labelling scheme.
Has the Council reached a common position?
Answer: On 15 December 2020, the Council approved its conclusions on animal welfare labelling, in which it invites the Commission to submit a proposal on an EU-wide animal welfare label for food produced under animal welfare standards higher than those provided by EU legislation.
When preparing the proposal, the Commission should inter alia consider the creation of a standardised EU logo, the determination of easily understandable protected terms and the gradual inclusion of all livestock species, covering their entire lifetime, including transport and slaughter, and giving due consideration to all their living conditions.
Such a label, in order to further improve animal welfare in the EU, should notably allow for market recognition and better remuneration of the additional efforts made by producers, in particular farmers.
