Towards better protection of and respect for animals
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© European Communities
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On 23 March 2009, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council adopted conclusions backing international efforts to gain support for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. The Council deems it important to achieve world-wide recognition of the need for animal welfare as an issue of common interest. It invites the member states and the Commission to support the initiative in international fora.
Animal welfare is an established principle of the European Union that is dealt with in a protocol annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty. In the protocol, member states confirm their wish "to ensure improved protection and respect for the welfare of animals as sentient beings". It applies in particular to "the Community's agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies".
The main motivation behind the declaration is an ethical concern. It aims to achieve global agreement on standards for animal welfare based on "five freedoms":
- freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition;
- from fear and distress;
- from physical and thermal discomfort;
- from pain, injury and disease; and
- freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour.
The declaration would consist of a set of principles and standards covering farm animals, pets, zoo and circus animals, animals in scientific research and wild animals. They would not only protect animals and their welfare needs, but also promote human health as they would contribute to sustainable farming systems and the improvement of food safety.
More information:
Council conclusions (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference