Document type: news from Welfarm
Author: Welfarm
Preview: Our 9 NGOs (OABA, represented by its director Frédéric Freund and his deputy Jimmy Gouédard, FBB, SPA, CNPA, CIWF, Welfarm, LFDA, LFPC and Défense de l'Animal) were well-received by Minister Marc Fesneau, accompanied by his Cabinet Head Sylvain Maestracci and the Director General for Food Maud Faipoux (DGAl). Unsurprisingly, few announcements were made during the meeting, but it is worth noting that the discussions were open and frank. The meeting lasted 2 hours and the Minister was an accessible and attentive listener throughout. A number of subjects were discussed in relation to the revision of European legislation on animal welfare. These included
- Farming The Minister announced that in order to "get rabbits out of cages" (i.e., 99% of all rabbits), €500,000 per year would be earmarked for the industry (for how many years?). This was a welcome, albeit unspectacular, step, given that the industry itself has already committed a considerable sum of money to this project.
- Transport The Minister remains firmly opposed to a ban on live animal exports. All that can be achieved is to improve transport conditions ...
- Labelling andslaughter The Minister stated: "I've changed my mind about video surveillance in abattoirs. I was initially opposed to it but I now believe, in view of the recent trial, that it is a subject on which we should move forward with the profession". To be continued... Lack of consultation on slaughtering Despite two rounds of reminders, there has been no response from the Minister on this point. Concerning the slaughter of pregnant femalesthe Minister was attentive and took note of our requests. Last, following OABA's description of a new stunning technique developed in Australia, of which the Minister was unaware, he "took note" of our (very strong) request to move forward on the subject of slaughter without stunning by reopening discussions in the CNEAB (Conseil National d'Ethique des Abattoirs) subgroup assigned to the subject, which has not met for 2 years.
We were told that the consultations,which we counsidered to be an exercise in box ticking, were merely a part of the process and not an end in themselves. The European Commission's proposals should appear in the autumn, and further discussions between the Ministry and NGOs should follow, with the finalized texts not being voted on before 2024 or even 2025. One statement from the Minister is worth quoting: "The subject of animal welfare, contrary to what is said or written about me, is a subject that is important to me and that I wish to take to the European level, based on the science".
Different article published on this subject by CIWF France on August 24, 2023 : CIWF et 8 autres ONG rue de Varenne!
