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Fitness Check of the EU legislation on animal welfare

Food safety

With this Fitness Check, the Commission will assess the fitness for purpose of the EU’s rules on animal welfare (which provide among the world’s highest standards of protection for animal welfare). Animal welfare is part of the European Green Deal and a cornerstone of the Farm to Fork Strategy and action plan, which identifies stricter animal welfare standards as one of the objectives that will enable the transition to more sustainable food systems.

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Public consultation

ID: 12400

Lobbying Activity

44 responses

Gelatine industry urges enforcement over new animal welfare rules

European Chemical Industry Council, 28 Jul 2020

The organization requests focus on enforcing existing animal welfare standards rather than creating new regulations. They emphasize their industry uses byproducts from meat production and is not involved in live animal treatment, so enforcement should target farms and slaughterhouses.
This would avoid new compliance costs while positioning their byproduct-based business model as sustainable.
Animal welfare advocates lose opportunity for stricter industry-wide standards across the supply chain.

Consultation response

EuroCommerce, 14 Jul 2020

EuroCommerce, the principal European organisation representing the retail and wholesale sector, welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the roadmap for the Fitness check of the EU legislation on animal welfare of farmed animals. We endorse the need to review the EU legislation on animal…

Copa and Cogeca urge harmonized rules and economic impact assessments

European farmers, 28 Jul 2020

The group requests a single, comprehensive EU Animal Welfare Framework Law to ensure uniform application. They emphasize that new rules must be science-based and include socio-economic impact assessments.
Harmonization would prevent market distortions and lower compliance costs for European producers.
Non-EU producers would face restricted market access if they fail to meet standards.

Consultation response

Eurogroup for Animals, 23 Jul 2020

Given the bases on which EU law to improve animal welfare can be made, Eurogroup for Animals understands the logic of the basic scope of this fitness check (being limited to farmed animals). However, we regret that such limitation from the outset will naturally prohibit a holistic approach, looking…

Consultation response

Deutscher Bauernverband, 16 Jul 2020

The German Farmers' Association (DBV) welcomes the evaluation of EU rules (fitness check) by the EU Commission. European animal welfare standards are the highest in the world. Nevertheless, it is important that these are subjected to an evaluation and, if necessary, further developed. Science,…

Coldiretti urges simplified EU animal welfare rules and extra funding

Confederazione Nazionale Coldiretti, 22 Jul 2020

Coldiretti requests simplified legislation to provide farmers with more flexibility and lower costs. They argue funding for improvements should come from outside the main agricultural budget. They also demand impact assessments before any new rules on animal transport are imposed.
This would reduce administrative burdens and protect Italian farmers from cheaper, lower-standard imports.
International exporters with lower standards would face higher barriers to the European market.

Consultation response

Lantbrukarnas Riksförbund, 14 Jul 2020

Please find below a contribution from the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF). • LRF welcomes the Commission’s initiative of an evaluation of the EU animal welfare rules. The animal welfare is important for several reasons i.e. sustainability, good animal health and welfare, low use of…

Consultation response

Landbrug Fødevarer - Danish Agriculture and Food Council, 10 Jul 2020

To DG Sante Please find enclosed the comments from Danish Agriculture and Food Council to the evaluation of EU rules

Consultation response

European Public Health Alliance, 29 Jul 2020

Animals are sentient beings and deserve the highest levels of protection. The assertion that the European Union (EU) has one of the world’s highest standards of animal welfare cannot serve as proof that these standards are sufficient. Apart from the intrinsic value of protecting animals, a strong…

Consultation response

Humane World for Animals Europe, 30 Jun 2020

Humane Society International/Europe (HSI) welcomes this opportunity to provide feedback on the Roadmap for the Fitness Check of the EU legislation on the welfare of farmed animals. We believe that this review of the existing body of EU animal welfare legislation is urgently needed not only to take…

Consultation response

Irish Farmers' Association, 29 Jul 2020

IFA SUBMISSION TO THE EU COMMISSION EVULATION OF EU RULES ON ANIMAL WELFARE (FITNESS CHECK OF THE EU LEGISTATION ON ANIMAL WELFARE). INTRODUCTION The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) The IFA is Ireland’s largest farming organisation with 72,000 farmer members, the majority which are involved in…

Poultry industry seeks trade alignment in animal welfare review

Association de l'Aviculture, de l'Industrie et du Commerce de Volailles dans les Pays de l'Union Europeenne asbl, 28 Jul 2020

AVEC wants welfare rules aligned with trade policy and based on science. They also request economic assessments of any legislative changes.
Reciprocal trade standards would protect EU producers from cheaper foreign imports.
Third-country exporters would lose their competitive advantage over European poultry farmers.

Consultation response

Union Européenne du Commerce du Bétail et des Métiers de la Viande, 24 Jul 2020

UECBV thanks the Commission services for the possibility of forwarding comments of the Fitness check of the EU legislation on animal welfare of farmed animals. UECBV believes that the fitness check can be an opportunity to check the legislation with the current scientific information. However, the…

European feed industry urges implementation of existing welfare rules

Fédération Européenne des Fabricants d'Aliments Composés, 24 Jul 2020

FEFAC calls for coherence between animal welfare rules and feed additive legislation. They argue for checking existing standards before establishing any stricter requirements.
Focusing on existing rules avoids the costs associated with new feeding standards.
Animal welfare organizations lose the opportunity for immediate and stricter legal protections.

Consultation response

Nordic Logistics Association, 29 Jul 2020

NLA welcomes the fitness check of the legislation on animal welfare as part of the Farm to Fork Strategy, in order to revise the rules, including the legislation on animal transport under regulation 1/2005. It is our view that animal welfare during transport is very important and that the rules on…

Consultation response

VIER PFOTEN International, 28 Jul 2020

VIER PFOTEN / FOUR PAWS International welcomes the opportunity to comment on the roadmap on the evaluation of EU rules on animal welfare (fitness check). We appreciate the recent approach taken by the European Commission in the field of animal welfare, among which this fitness check, the long…

La Coopération Agricole demands protections for farm competitiveness

La Coopération Agricole, 28 Jul 2020

The organization requests a deep economic analysis of competitiveness and the inclusion of professional expertise alongside scientific data. They advocate for voluntary industry-led progress instead of new regulatory mandates or mandatory product labeling. Finally, they call for trade reciprocity to ensure imported products meet European animal welfare standards.
This prevents financial losses and protects domestic producers from unfair competition from abroad.
Animal rights groups lose when mandatory protections are replaced by voluntary industry commitments.

CIWF urges EU to phase out cages and live exports

Compassion in World Farming International, 1 Jul 2020

CIWF requests the phasing out of cages and an end to live exports. They want binding targets to reduce animal production and consumption levels.
These measures would significantly advance their campaigning goals to eliminate intensive factory farming.
Industrial livestock producers and live exporters face bans on their primary business models.

Confagricoltura urges EU to link animal welfare with competitiveness

Confederazione Generale dell'Agricoltura Italiana, 29 Jul 2020

The association demands that new welfare rules be based on incontrovertible scientific evidence. They also insist that imported products must meet identical standards to ensure fairness.
Protecting farmers from high costs ensures the economic sustainability of European food production.
Non-EU exporters lose their current cost advantage if required to meet European standards.

French meat industry seeks recognition for voluntary welfare schemes

Association nationale interprofessionnelle du bétail et des viandes, 28 Jul 2020

INTERBEV asks which indicators will measure the effectiveness of animal protection rules. They urge the Commission to account for voluntary initiatives established by European sectors.
Recognizing voluntary efforts could help the industry avoid more restrictive top-down regulations.

Irish cooperatives urge EU to protect live animal exports

Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Ltd., 29 Jul 2020

ICOS calls for full and equal implementation of existing standards across the single market. They argue that sustainability schemes and welfare labeling should remain strictly voluntary. Existing transport provisions must be maintained to support essential live animal exports.
Preserving existing transport rules protects the viability of Ireland's livestock export market.
Global exporters would face increased costs to align production with EU standards.

Consultation response

Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, 29 Jul 2020

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) represents around 300 000 veterinarians across Europe, including all EU Member countries. The promotion of the welfare of animals is an important part of FVE’s mission. Through their daily work, veterinarians contribute to assuring the health and…

Consultation response

Cruelty Free Europe, 20 Jul 2020

Although the replacement of experiments on animals in laboratories with modern, humane and human-relevant new approach methodologies (NAMS) has unfortunately not historically been captured in the European Union’s Animal Welfare Strategy, we would argue that this Fitness Check is an opportunity to…

Consultation response

Deutscher Tierschutzbund - German Animal Welfare Federation, 29 Jul 2020

Der Deutsche Tierschutzbund begrüßt die Initiative der EU-Kommission im Rahmen des European Green Deal und der darin enthaltenen Farm-to-Fork-Strategie, die geltenden EU-Tierschutzvorschriften im Nutztierbereich einer Eignungsprüfung zu unterziehen. Gleichzeitig weisen wir darauf hin, dass es nicht…

Consultation response

France Nature Environnement, 29 Jul 2020

France Nature Environnement accorde une haute priorité au bien-être animal (BEA) et soutient le feedback par la Società Italiana di Etologia, Welfarm et CIWF. Positivement, la législation concernée reflète une prise de conscience de certains problèmes médiatisés. Elle apporte des réponses…

Consultation response

Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, 29 Jul 2020

FEAP position on Fish Welfare The FEAP is the united voice of the European aquaculture producers, representing 22 members out of 21 countries. FEAP represents a wide range of farmed species that include Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, seabass, seabream, carp, catfish, turbot, cod, sturgeon and…

Consultation response

Fur Europe, 9 Jul 2020

Fur Europe welcomes the fitness check on the EU animal welfare legislation and the Commission’s decision to put animal welfare among the objectives of the Farm to Fork strategy. We take the opportunity of this roadmap to provide our inputs on how the future EU legislation should be shaped. Please…

Consultation response

Fédération Nationale des Producteurs de Lait, 15 Jul 2020

Dès 1988, le Conseil de l’Europe a émis des recommandations à l’égard de la protection des bovins dans les élevages européens, tenant compte de leurs besoins physiologiques et éthologiques, et encourageant des efforts continus pour adapter les systèmes d’élevage. À travers sa stratégie 2012-2015,…

Consultation response

European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders, 29 Jul 2020

EFFAB is the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders, the voice of European animal breeders associations, companies and cooperatives working in poultry, aquatics, ruminants and pig genetics. We will like to thank the EU commission for the opportunity to get involved stakeholders. European Animal…

Consultation response

Fédération Française d'Equitation, 26 Jun 2020

Dear Madam, Dear Sir, Please find the comments of the French Equestrian Federation (Fédération française d'Equitation). Remaining at the disposal of the European Commission for further details.

Consultation response

EU Dog Cat Alliance, 29 Jul 2020

The EU Dog & Cat Alliance represents 90 organisations across 25 EU Member States. These include veterinary organisations, organisations which are involved in the rescue/rehoming of dogs and cats and organisations which are working to protect dog and/or cat welfare. Please find our feedback on the…

Consultation response

BEL, 28 Jul 2020

Animal welfare being a key pillar of Bel’s engagement in the field of sustainable farming, Bel welcomes the Commission’s proposal to revise and improve existing animal welfare legislation, as well as the proposal to consider options for animal welfare labelling. Bel works with all partner farmers…

Consultation response

World Animal Protection, 29 Jul 2020

World Animal Protection is happy to provide input to this process of fitness check of the EU’s Animal Welfare laws. We are an Animal Protection organisation that has offices in fourteen countries, including three EU countries, we see every day the impact of the EU’s inadequate Animal Welfare…

Consultation response

World Horse Welfare, 29 Jul 2020

World Horse Welfare welcomes the aim of the Fitness Check to identify further shortcomings in the design, scope and implementation of the legislation and identify gaps and areas that should and must be improved. Both the transport and the slaughter regulations haven´t addressed the welfare issues…

Consultation response

European Coalition to End Animal Experiments, 7 Jul 2020

The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) welcomes the Fitness Check on animal welfare. There is a noticeable change of attitude within the European Society regarding how we treat animals. Within an increasing part of the society, animals are no longer regarded as mere food, products…

Consultation response

World Animal Net, 29 Jul 2020

WAN is an international organisation which was founded 20 years ago to build expertise, information and best practice resources to support the development of animal welfare. We have affiliated organisations in more than 125 countries, including over 500 affiliates across the EU. We are pleased that…

Consultation response

Verein Gegen Tierfabriken - Association against Animal Factories, 29 Jul 2020

Der VEREIN GEGEN TIERFABRIKEN (VGT) Österreich begrüßt den Schritt der Europäischen Kommission, Richtlinien und Verordnungen zu prüfen und die Möglichkeit, dazu eine Stellungnahme abzugeben. Zu den einzelnen Gesetzen wollen wir wie folgt Stellung nehmen, eine umfassende Ausführung zu den genannten…

Consultation response

AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection, 29 Jul 2020

AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection welcomes this opportunity to comment on the Fitness Check Roadmap (Ref. Ares(2020)2653994) concerning EU legislation on animal welfare. As stated in the Roadmap, the Fitness Check will evaluate the EU legislation applicable to the protection of the welfare of…

Consultation response

Unaitalia - Unione nazionale filiere agroalimentari delle carni e delle uova, 29 Jul 2020

Unaitalia believe that the general debate on animal welfare should be science based and consider all aspects involved in terms of sustainability and impact in the sector. Animal welfare legislation is a key asset in livestock management and should be consistent with biosecurity and health…

Consultation response

Federação Agrícola dos Açores / Agricultural Federation of the Azores, 29 Jul 2020

A Federação Agrícola dos Açores salienta o seguinte: • Todas as iniciativas legislativas que visam a promoção da sustentabilidade ambiental, social, económica e territorial em uníssono, como é o caso do bem-estar animal, são bem-vindas tendo em conta a realidade e condicionantes duma região…

Consultation response

OneKind, 29 Jul 2020

OneKind is an animal welfare charity based in Scotland working to protect and advocate for all animals. While we acknowledge that Scotland, as part of the UK, will no longer have direct influence on EU policies and legislation, we still hope for a good level of convergence. Our concerns for animals…

Consultation response

WELFARM, 28 Jul 2020

Welfarm appelle la Commission à : - prendre connaissance des rapports d’audits institutionnels et enquêtes sur l’application des réglementations, ainsi que des travaux menés entre ONG et acteurs de l’agro-industrie pour l’amélioration des conditions d’élevage (dont European Chicken Commitment et…

Consultation response

SERRPA, 28 Jul 2020

• Over the last 20 years, the EU legislation has brought significant improvements to the animal welfare of animals grown in Europe, placing the EU at the forefront of practices. • So far, these improvements were mainly driven through the setting of minimum criteria (general and species-specific for…

Consultation response

Zentralverband der Deutschen Geflügelwirtschaft e.V., 20 Jul 2020

The German Poultry Association welcomes the Fitness Check on the EU legislation on animal welfare. We believe it is important to update, strengthen and harmonise the EU animal welfare legislation. We would like to encourage the EU to put an end of cage production systems for laying hens. This…