Re: Inaugural Meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare Brussels, 6 th June 2017

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1 Brussels, 21 st June 2017 UECBV Ref: Re: Inaugural Meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare Brussels, 6 th June 2017 BACKGROUND As indicated by the Eurobarometer survey published in March 2016, an absolute majority of Europeans considers the protection of animal welfare very important and would like to see improvements in the way the welfare of animals is protected. The Platform aims to promote dialogue among competent authorities, businesses, civil society and scientists on animal welfare issues that are relevant for EU citizens. The Platform will assist the Commission with the development and exchange of coordinated actions on animal welfare with focus on: 1. better application of EU rules on animal welfare, through exchange of information, best practices and the direct involvement of stakeholders, 2. the development and use of voluntary commitments by businesses, 3. the promotion of EU animal welfare standards at global level. Executive summary On 6 th June 2017, European Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis officially inaugurated the kick-off meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare (the Platform). The Platform gathers 75 representatives of stakeholders, NGOs, scientists, Member States, EEA (European Economic Area) countries, international organisations and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). This is the first time that all key EU players gathered to exchange experiences and contribute to improving the welfare of animals. Main messages: The Platform is not a forum for discussing new EU legislation: the most urgent goal is working on better implementing the existing legislation while completing previous commitments (outstanding from the 2012 animal welfare strategy); The Platform will only be able to deliver if its members are committed to working together in a common effort to share, contribute and trust each other; if members of the Platform come only to ask or to defend their respective positions or interests, the Platform will unlikely get very far; The Platform will work not only by sharing efforts, but also by focusing on common areas of interest; Everyone is responsible. Please click here to read the European Commission s Press Release. 1

2 Résumé analytique Le 6 juin 2017, le Commissaire européen Vytenis Andriukaitis a inauguré officiellement la réunion de lancement de la plateforme de l UE sur le bien-être animal. Ladite plateforme se compose de 75 représentants des parties prenantes que sont les ONG, la communauté scientifique, les États membres de l UE, les pays de l EEE (Espace économique européen), les organisations internationales et l EFSA (Autorité européenne de sécurité des aliments). Pour la première fois, tous les acteurs clés de l UE sont réunis pour échanger des expériences et contribuer à l amélioration du bien-être des animaux. Les principaux messages qui ont été véhiculés à cette occasion sont les suivants : la plateforme n est pas un espace de débat sur une nouvelle législation européenne. Le plus urgent est d œuvrer à une meilleure mise en œuvre de la législation existante, tout en s acquittant des engagements antérieurs (non encore remplis dans le cadre de la stratégie pour le bien-être des animaux de 2012); la plateforme ne sera efficace que si ses membres s engagent à collaborer dans un effort commun de partage, de contribution et de confiance mutuelle. Si ses membres se contentent de formuler des requêtes ou de ne défendre que leurs propres positions ou intérêts, la plateforme n ira probablement pas très loin; les travaux de la plateforme se baseront non seulement sur un partage d efforts mais également sur la mise en avant de domaines d intérêt commun; «Tous responsables» est la devise! Merci de cliquer ICI pour accéder au communiqué de presse de la Commission européenne. MAIN OUTCOMES Keeping EU leadership on animal welfare- Vytenis Andriukaitis, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety You can read Mr Andriukaitis complete speech by clicking HERE. Member States as key players- Paula Calamatta, Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Head of Unit for Agriculture and Fisheries, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Attaché Three essential things to consider: communication, cooperation/collaboration, commitment. It is essential to decide some priorities to be discussed. NGOs are very good in communication, but may overwhelm the next presidencies. Several initiatives were taken in Malta: Increase of the penalties against animal cruelty; Introduction of a ban on the use of animals in circuses; Restriction on the importation and proliferation of dangerous exotic species; Inauguration of a new veterinary hospital; Introduction of an animal ambulance and aftercare service; Establishment of an AW fund to help NGOs. Education is the key to success, with responsible ownership and active citizenship. 2

3 SESSION 1: How can the Platform contribute to better application and understanding of the EU legislation on animal welfare? Commission priorities in enforcing EU legislation on animal welfare- Ana Ramirez Vela, Head of Unit, Unit F2, Health and Food Safety Best implementation of the AW regulation is one of the priorities of the EC. All parties should work in the areas where the difference can be made. The pig directive was adopted in 1995 and modified in It does look great for the functioning of the Union as such! Transport regulation gives high stability inside and outside the EU: deciding to change would be unrealistic and would take 3 years, apart from the costs. These 3 years will mean no improvement for the animals conditions. It is unrealistic to solve all welfare problems and this is why focus should be made on the implementation of current legislation. Exchange of views SE- support the commitments of EC on pigs and transport regulations. Eurogroup for animals- looking forward to working with the experts of the platform. On pig welfare, curious to see the action plan on this. Important for MSs to develop roadmaps to comply with the EC recommendations. NL- good to share the good practices with the platform. Priority: implementation of existing legislation. European Forum of AW- The exchange is a way to go. Solutions should be looked for, bearing in mind the differences between MSs. FVE- It is important to identify a map for the implementation. Vier Pfoten- There are practices that cannot be compliant with animal welfare if no minor legislative changes are done. DK- DK, SE, NL, DE, BE are preparing draft guidelines based on 98/58 on chicks: they will be shared. IFAH- AH industry supports the idea of having a science-based approach. Animals angels- a harmonised approach for training of drivers must be obtained. World Horse Welfare- Priorities for equine welfare within the EU. Transport regulation and the end of life for equids of all type and the condition of a lifetime exclusion as priorities. FR- Focus on positive values. EFSA- One of EFSA s core values is the communication of risk and we are available and willing to collaborate and cooperate. UECBV- Due to the difference in implementing the legislation, the guidelines are a good aid and should have a common basis (Regulation 1/2005). UECBV Secretariat and members undertook a series of initiatives to support AW: conferences organised with the EC/presidencies of the Council on livestock transport (2013) and on slaughter (2012), good practice guidelines creation (health/behaviour/ physiology, but also slaughter and transport), dissemination of guidelines through the sector, education books for children, open doors for slaughterhouses/farms, network of AW officers to exchange good practices and ideas on AW. Interest of UECBV in AW: comply with legal requirements/ethical problem/ food safety-quality issue. EL- great opportunity for giving directions also to farmers and FBOs. 3

4 A.v.e.c.- Rules must be applied to the whole supply chain because there is a distortion of competition between third countries and domestic production. DE- Research is extremely important, but is not correctly transferred into practice. FAO- Important to link AW with other societal goals: fight against AMR, minimising food waste and losses and support sustainability of agriculture and fishery sector. OIE- There has been a good cooperation between OIE and stakeholders. The OIE is concerned about the rules implemented at global level. FESASS- There must be a problem if consumers are not taking into account the friendly labelled products from the shelves. Need to find a balance between harmonisation in all MSs, but there are differences between MSs. IT- Regarding the possible reasons in the delay of implementing the legislation, these can depend on tradition, climate factors, economic aspects. Chairman- the Commission will lead the work on AW. The platform should have a constructive atmosphere. It is pretty clear that transport and pig welfare are the main concerns. A lot can be done and in many different ways from the many different stakeholders. Let s focus on EU added value. SESSION 2: How the Platform can contribute to promote EU animal welfare standards globally? What is the Commission doing to promote EU standards in the world?- Bernard Van Goethem, Director, Directorate G, Health and Food Safety The EU has always been a model for producing standards based on scientific data. But it is not possible to impose EU standards on third countries. International organizations must be involved, such as the OIE. The example of cooperation with Asia was illustrated by the fact that now Animal Welfare is a prerequisite in international relations. In negotiations with Chile, Canada, Brazil and Australia in bilateral negotiations, the EC has included AW. What is the World Organisation for Animal Health doing on animal welfare in Europe?- Nadège Leboucq, Sub-Regional Representative of World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Brussels The OIE has drawn up an inventory of how AW is being taken into account in Europe. In 2013, the OIE set up an AW platform at the request of several countries. The first three-year action plan concerned slaughter and transport. The second action plan, launched in 2017, is a continuation of the first action plan. Among the 6 priorities: transport of animals; animal welfare of working horses. Exchange of views There is a need to identify more effective mechanisms to ensure compliance by third countries with AW standards, at least OIE standards. Free trade agreements must include EU standards: AW is a negotiating element in the agreements. Many products that return to the European territory do not comply with EU standards. OIE plays an important role because it has contact points in the Middle East. 4

5 Third countries should be encouraged in promoting collective work among stakeholders. Discouraging imports from non-compliant third countries. Taking good account of BP requires good economic development and government support. There is a lot of AW information on the Internet, but everything is scattered. The World Bank also replies that there should be a list of Good Practices. FAO confirms this need. People want to know what to do / not to do. Training activities are a very good way of transferring knowledge. All international standards adopted by the OIE are performance requirements. But in Europe we have obligations of means which are not applicable everywhere. SESSION 3: Examples on how the Platform can facilitate the use of voluntary commitments and promote market value of animal welfare friendly products. Animal welfare label- Katharina Kluge, Head of Animal Welfare Unit, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany There should be a dialogue with the farmers which are concerned together with other parties. Legislation should not be the first option. The AW label should help to meet societal expectation without weakening agriculture: it should be a win-win-win situation. Label should indicate that animals had more space, constant access for feed, no castration for piglets (without anaesthesia), short transport times, regular training of staff, longer lactation period... Legislation is not the first option for voluntary agreements. European Declaration on pig castration- Gé Backus, Director, Agri and Food, Netherlands The declaration has already achieved positive results. Progress report published in 2014; a roadmap has been prepared in 2015: necessary actions and steps to be taken clearly defined, elaboration of communication and information plan in 2017, broad dissemination results of research projects (e.g. CAMPIG, CASTRUM) funded by Commission contributing to a decreasing number of castrated pigs, and more awareness, in general. Right now the group is working on a list of products and protocols used for anaesthesia and analgesia; a second progress report ; establishing stronger connection with the IPEMA COST action program. Still in need for: further knowledge on methods on boar taint detection, list of traditional products requiring heavier pigs to be covered by a derogation, to look at distribution of costs and benefits along the value chain, to closely monitor developments in the international meat market. Exchange of views: NL-DK- There is a need for market acceptance for non-castrated pigs. On labelling, in NL there is a 3-star system; in DK, a 3-heart system. Expert- no data for what regards environmental pollution and environmental effects of the AW friendly productions. EUROCOOP- Labelling, transport and pig castration are supported for the creation of subgroups. 5

6 IE- the Irish food board operates quality schemes. Regarding castration, IE does not castrate pigs. There are already lots of labels; additional ones can create confusion. SE- the platform can lead to creation of recommendation and updating of the legislation. SlowFood- there is a need to make labels which are more comprehensive and transparent. EL- Greece will be willing to participate to any procedure for species-specific guidelines. IFAH- more labels can be misleading. Copa- consumers are not willing to pay for higher AW labels. Iceland- the key is the consumers education. EGFA- the deadline of 2018 will not be reached and the expert group is not bringing any solution; however, it is not too late to have a new start. UECBV- There are already lots of private labels (AW friendly organisation, organic ). Farmers should get the label as a medal for their efforts and the label should be accompanied by higher incomes. UECBV is, in principle, in favour of voluntary labelling; however, in some cases, legally produced products are even banned from the shelves because they are not labelled as AW friendly and farmers and breeders, keeping animals complying with EU rules, are sometimes considered as criminals when not producing animal welfare in a friendlier way. It is also true that too many labels can cause confusion to the consumer. Eurocommerce- Let s also talk about cost-benefits for voluntary labelling. Expert- a cost-benefit analysis was made on environmental, financial and societal benefits. FESASS- What is the real objective of an AW label? FVE- FVE supports the intensification of the work on pig castration. Welcome the EFSA proposal for a harmonised labelling scheme. Closing remarks- (CHAIR: Ladislav Miko, Deputy Director General for Health and Food Safety) In the afternoon session, 50 speakers took the floor and this shows the level of interest and passion in this work, which surely will persist in future meetings. General support for the EC priorities. The goal to transfer the information and the exchange of views is happening here so there must be optimism about the future of the platform. For transport/equine/pigs etc., there was a request for creation of subgroups. There is a commitment to discuss rules which are not harmonised at EU level. There is a whole willingness and commitment to develop this work from the EC side. It is all about human and financial resources. The EC will map out the priorities which have been discussed in this meeting. The Commissioner underlined that the Platform can open to other fora dealing with AW. Next meeting is scheduled for 10 th November