Document type Response from the European Commission to question E-003324/2023
Authors: question: Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
Question : Animal welfare legislation derailment and concllusions from a recent journalistic investigation.
The Commission has reneged on its commitment to overhaul animal welfare legislation, limiting itself to publishing only the proposal on transport during the current term.
Yet in Communication C(2021)4747, the Commission committed to proposing a ban on cage farming for all species named in the European citizens’ initiative ‘End the Cage Age’ as part of its plans to revise animal welfare legislation, with proposals to be published in the third quarter of 2023. The communication also mentioned that 2027 would be assessed as a potential date for the ban to come into effect.
On 10 June 2021, Parliament adopted a resolution supporting the European citizens’ initiative with 558 votes in favour and 37 against.
A recently published investigation into lobbying against the publication of animal welfare proposals reveals that ‘documents obtained through freedom of information (FOI) showed [European Livestock Voice] partner associations urging EU officials to “resist the pressure from NGOs [as] NGO perspectives do not reflect the views of the broad public”’.
According to recently published Eurobarometer survey results, 84 % of respondents want animals’ welfare to be better protected in the EU.
Could the Commission respond to the information presented in the investigation and explain its failure to present the animal welfare proposals?
Answer: The Farm to Fork Strategy foresees a revision of the EU’s animal welfare legislation, covering legislation for the welfare of animals at farm level, during transport, at the time of killing and to establish a voluntary European label for animal welfare.
The proposal on the protection of animals during transport, being the most advanced, was adopted on 7 December 2023, together with a ground-breaking proposal, for the first time ever, on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.
As regards the other pillars of the legislation, including the elements related to the response to the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) End the Cage Age, the Commission is now carefully assessing important aspects, including the related costs and the appropriate length of the transition period. No decision has been taken at this point regarding the timing of its adoption.
Furthermore, it is important to seek the support of all involved to make these proposals a success. The work towards the revision has therefore involved a multitude of different actors, from industry to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and scientists, for instance in thematic subgroups established under the EU Animal Welfare Platform.
This broad dialogue with stakeholders has been performed in full respect of the Commission’s rules on independence, integrity and transparency. Animal welfare is and will remain a priority of the Commission.
