Document type: answer from the European Commission to question E-002896/25
Authors: question : Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Rody Tolassy (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission
Question: European farmers have to comply with increasingly stringent animal welfare standards. This implies a strong ethical commitment, but also a significant additional cost for farmers. However, the EU continues to authorise imports of meat from third countries, such as Brazil, where breeding and slaughter standards are often very different to those applied in the EU. Brazil is the EU's second largest beef supplier, with annual imports of 41 000 tonnes, yet it does not guarantee equivalent animal welfare practices, which distorts competition and undermines our farmers' efforts in this regard. In view of this:
1. How will the Commission implement legally binding mirror measures tailored to livestock imports to ensure that imported products comply with animal welfare standards equivalent to those imposed on European producers?
2. What steps will it take to effectively monitor compliance with these animal welfare standards in third countries exporting to the EU, thereby avoiding any distortions of competition or ethical breaches?
Supporter[1]
[1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)
Answer: 1. As set out in the Vision for Agriculture and Food[1]the EU aims to promote sustainable and fair agri-food systems, which includes ensuring that high animal welfare standards apply not only within the EU but also to imported products, in compliance with the EU's World Trade Organisation (WTO) obligations. In the Vision, the Commission commits to ensuring that future legislative proposals in the area of animal welfare will apply equivalent standards to imported products that fall within its scope in ways that are compliant with WTO obligations. In line with the principles of better regulation, the upcoming proposal on-on-farm animal welfare will be accompanied by a comprehensive impact assessment, which will include a thorough assessment of the trade dimension.
2. EU legislation already requires that imported products meet certain animal welfare standards. Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing[2] applies to third country establishments exporting meat to the EU, and 100% documentary checks are made at border points. The competent authority of the exporting country must provide a signed attestation certifying that these standards are complied with. Furthermore, these requirements are monitored by the Commission through a risk-based programme of controls, with regular audits in third countries, that include checks on third countries' regulatory framework and their follow up to Commission recommendations. The Commission cooperates closely with third country authorities to verify compliance and follows up with actions when needed.
[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0075.
[2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1099/oj.
From the European Parliament website
