Document type : Regulation/Certification

Answer to a question on whether the European Commission will ban imports into the EU of poultry raised in cages and in sub-standard conditions.

Answer to a question about the responsibility of the European Commission regarding the mistreatment of wild animals in circuses and whether it intends to intervene to push for a ban on their use in the last 4 European countries that still allow it, namely Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Answer to a question concerning the fact that the Greek border of Kakavia continues to be used as an exit point for live animals from the European Union (EU) even though it is not recognized as such, and asking whether any sanctions have been taken by the EU against Greece.

Summary of the official inspections carried out in the Member States in 2021 to assess the protection of hen welfare. It proposes avenues for improvement and identifies good practices for dissemination. It shows that the protection of the welfare of laying hens varies from one Member State to another, risking the creation of unfair competition for producers within the EU. It reveals that official inspections of pullet farms and hatcheries are far less frequent and consistent than those of laying hen farms.

Answer to a question on the possible introduction of labelling to show "slaughter with stunning" or "slaughter without stunning", to enable all consumers to make informed purchases.

Implementing regulation laying down the necessary necessary for carrying out inspections on vessels carrying livestock. It creates a Europe-wide electronic database so that all data required for inspections is centralised.

Audit report from EFTA concluding that the  EEA legislation has been correctly transposed and implemented in Norway. Nevertheless, the recommendations made in previous audits have not been satisfactorily addressed. Official veterinarians do not receive sufficient training with the result that non-compliance is not properly detected.

DG SANTE audit report concluding that Spain has significantly improved its system of official controls since the previous Commission audit. However, veterinary inspectors do not always have sufficient knowledge or support to carry out controls properly and ports do not have facilities to allow animals to wait in good conditions if they are delayed.

DG SANTE audit report concluding that Italy has invested significant resources in official controls concerning the welfare of calves during transport, but that there are inconsistencies in these official controls that have not been corrected.

DG SANTE audit report concluding that the official controls carried out by Portugal on sea carriers and livestock vessels prior to loading are adequate and effective in minimising the risk of injury or undue suffering for animals during transport by livestock vessels to third countries.