EU and member states urged to improve animal welfare standards
By Martin Banks - 29th February 2012
We need to raise standards beyond the legal requirements
Mette Gjerskov
An international conference in Brussels heard that improving levels of animal welfare is "not incompatible" with a "thriving" agriculture sector.
Danish food and agriculture minister Mette Gjerskov told the conference fears that better animal welfare was too costly were unfounded.
"There are some who would say it is too expensive, particularly at a time of economic crisis, to introduce measures which will improve animal welfare but this is not true," she said.
Describing current levels of animal mistreatment in Europe as "all still too common", she said that improving standards of welfare "does not necessarily mean" higher prices for consumers and producers.
"Would the cost be too high? No. It is possible to have both."
"It is possible to raise standards while still ensuring that animals are treated well."
The conference, which attracted participants from all over the world, was jointly organised by the commission and Danish EU presidency.
The main aim was to debate the new EU animal welfare strategy which was published by the commission on 19 January, and new initiatives to improve animal welfare.
Opening the two-day event, Gjerskov called on the EU and member states to "raise the bar" on animal welfare while at the same time ensuring the continued "competitiveness" of the agriculture industry.
She described the new strategy as a "stepping stone" towards this objective but insisted that the focus should remain on the "improvement and enforcement" of current EU animal welfare legislation.
The minister told the conference that the "increasing" transportation of animals for slaughter was "worrying" and pointed to a petition signed by one million EU citizens expressing concern at this.
"The fact that so many people signed a petition is a signal to politicians that there is great concern about how we care for animals," she said. "We need to raise standards beyond the legal requirements."
Further comment came from Danish MEP Dan Jorgensen who told the packed conference that standards still had to be raised even though there was "more animal welfare legislation than ever before".
He said, "This is the paradox."
Jorgensen said that increased regulation of the sector was necessary, accusing policymakers of "not having the courage" to legislate in certain areas, such as the transportation of live animals.
Another keynote speaker, Paola Testori-Coggi, director general for the commission's health DG, said that improving animal welfare standards could being "added value" to both consumers and producers.
Among the groups lobbying at the conference was Eurogroup for Animals which called on the commission "not to substitute" legislation with a "laissez-faire" approach.
Speaking recently, EU health commissioner John Dalli said it was "essential" the commission "continues to work promoting education and information on animal welfare.
"Allowing the market to operate without minimum standards is a recipe for disaster," he said.
The Parliament.comDanish food and agriculture minister Mette Gjerskov told the conference fears that better animal welfare was too costly were unfounded.
"There are some who would say it is too expensive, particularly at a time of economic crisis, to introduce measures which will improve animal welfare but this is not true," she said.
Describing current levels of animal mistreatment in Europe as "all still too common", she said that improving standards of welfare "does not necessarily mean" higher prices for consumers and producers.
"Would the cost be too high? No. It is possible to have both."
"It is possible to raise standards while still ensuring that animals are treated well."
The conference, which attracted participants from all over the world, was jointly organised by the commission and Danish EU presidency.
The main aim was to debate the new EU animal welfare strategy which was published by the commission on 19 January, and new initiatives to improve animal welfare.
Opening the two-day event, Gjerskov called on the EU and member states to "raise the bar" on animal welfare while at the same time ensuring the continued "competitiveness" of the agriculture industry.
She described the new strategy as a "stepping stone" towards this objective but insisted that the focus should remain on the "improvement and enforcement" of current EU animal welfare legislation.
The minister told the conference that the "increasing" transportation of animals for slaughter was "worrying" and pointed to a petition signed by one million EU citizens expressing concern at this.
"The fact that so many people signed a petition is a signal to politicians that there is great concern about how we care for animals," she said. "We need to raise standards beyond the legal requirements."
Further comment came from Danish MEP Dan Jorgensen who told the packed conference that standards still had to be raised even though there was "more animal welfare legislation than ever before".
He said, "This is the paradox."
Jorgensen said that increased regulation of the sector was necessary, accusing policymakers of "not having the courage" to legislate in certain areas, such as the transportation of live animals.
Another keynote speaker, Paola Testori-Coggi, director general for the commission's health DG, said that improving animal welfare standards could being "added value" to both consumers and producers.
Among the groups lobbying at the conference was Eurogroup for Animals which called on the commission "not to substitute" legislation with a "laissez-faire" approach.
Speaking recently, EU health commissioner John Dalli said it was "essential" the commission "continues to work promoting education and information on animal welfare.
"Allowing the market to operate without minimum standards is a recipe for disaster," he said.
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