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Factual summary report of the online public consultation in support to the fitness check and revision of the EU animal welfare legislation

By March 30th, 2022May 3rd, 2022No Comments

Document type: Report of the European Commission

Author: European Commission

  

Preview: A total of 59 281 respondents have contributed to the public consultation. [...]Policy options for the future

Welfare at farm level
A vast majority (89% - 52 593 out of 59 281) of respondents considered that specific welfare requirements for extra animal species should be introduced. Of these species, reference was mostly made to dairy cows (85% - 50 411 out of 59 281) and beef cattle (84% - 49 892 out of 59 281) but several other species received a high response, including cats (79% - 47 064 out of 59 281) and dogs (80% - 47 272 out of 59 281). Fur animals received a lower response rate, e.g. minks (57% - .33 674 out of 59 281) and foxes (56% - 32 941 out of 59 281).
Most respondents were in favour of prohibiting tail-docking of pigs (84% - 49 862 out of 59 281). While a vast majority of EU citizens (85% - 46 369 out of 54 611), consumer and environmental organisations (81% - 83 out of 103), non EU-citizens (90% - 2 546 out of 2 817) are in favour of a ban, only 42% (35 out of 83) of public authorities and 18% (118 out of 660) of business organisations support such a measure.
Concerning the phasing out the use of cages a vast majority of respondents (93% - 55 001 out of 59 281) expressed that the maximum transitional time allowed should be 5 years for sows, laying hens, calves, rabbits, pullets, broiler breeders, layer breeders, quails, ducks, and geese. Depending on the animal species concerned, between 40% (267 out of 660) and 48% (315 out of 660) of business organisations expressed that the maximum time allowed should be 15 years for all animals mentioned.

Welfare during transport
A vast majority of respondents (95% - 56 547 out of 59 281) were in favour of introducing maximum journey times to (better) protect animals. The lowest support was by business organisations and companies but still at 53% (347 out of 660).
A vast majority of respondents (94% - 55 564 out of 59 281) also considered that the export of live animals to non-EU countries for slaughter should be prohibited. Such an option was supported by one-third of the business organisations (32% -211 out of 660).
Similarly, a vast majority of respondents (94% - 55 789 out of 59 281) were in favour of a prohibition on the transport of unweaned calves and other vulnerable animals, such as pregnant cows. This view was shared by 20% (131 out of 660) of business organisations.

Welfare at slaughter
A vast majority of the respondents (89% - 52 957 out of 59 281) believed that electrical water bath stunning for poultry should be prohibited (after a transition period), while approximately half of the business organisations believed it should not (51% - 331 out of 660). Public authorities' views were mixed, with 37% (31 out of 83) claiming the prohibition, 31% (26 out of 83) against it, and 31% (26 out of 83) did not know.
Furthermore, an overwhelming majority of respondents was in favour of the prohibition of the killing of one-day old male chicks (94% - 55 434 out of 59 281), including public authorities (72% - 60 out of 83)). Yet, approximately half of the business organisations (48% - 319 out of 660) was against.
Similarly, 93% (55 362 out of 59 281) of respondents were in favour of adopting specific rules for killing farmed fish. One-third (35% - 232 out of 660) of business organisations were against.

Consumer information
All categories of respondents believed that an EU animal welfare label would be a useful tool for informing consumers on the conditions in which animals are treated (90% of all respondents, i.e. 53 128 out of 59 281).
A vast majority (83% - 49 212 out of 59 281) of all respondents expressed that the label should be based on broader animal welfare criteria, including requirements on animal transport and slaughter.

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