Time to step up our game on animal welfare

The EU and its member states can and must jointly do more for animal welfare. This is the clear message the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council wants to convey by organising  a one-day conference dedicated to our treatment of animals, write Stella Kyriakides, Ben Weyt, Celine Tellie and Bernard Clerfay. 

Stella Kyriakides is the European commissioner for health and food safety. Ben Weyts is the Flemish minister of animal welfare. Celine Tellier is the Walloon minister of animal welfare. Bernard Clerfayt is the Brussels Capital Region minister of animal welfare.

There are many Europeans who have great love for animals. A recent EU-wide survey found that 84% of Europeans believe that the welfare of farmed animals should be better protected. It is also an area where challenges and solutions surpass the borders of individual EU member states.

Therefore, more cooperation at EU level on animal welfare is necessary. At the beginning of the Commission’s mandate, action in this field was identified as a priority. The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union believes that it is time to address animal welfare rules more robustly at European level.  

In December 2023, the Commission proposed a package of measures to improve animal welfare across Europe. The proposals would mark the biggest reform of EU animal welfare rules in the last 20 years.

In the coming months, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU plans to take forward the package of measures proposed by the European Commission.

The first ever proposal on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability has a particular resonance with many citizens, as nearly half of all EU households have a pet.  Citizens want to know that their pets have not endured any hardship and have been bred in the best possible conditions.

The proposal also comes in the context of a surge of trade in dogs and cats in recent years, with an annual value estimated at €1.3 billion.

While there are many responsible and reputable sellers in the EU, it is important to have common rules across member states on the breeding, housing, care and treatment of these animals in breeding establishments, pet shops but also in shelters to avoid unscrupulous operators taking advantage of this booming industry.

Strict traceability requirements, together with easier checks for online sales, will further tackle fraudulent practices and help authorities to control the trade of dogs and cats. Buyers will be able to check that the identification and registration of these animals is correct. Finally, imports of dogs and cats will have to meet equivalent welfare standards. 

The other pillar of the Commission’s proposal is based on a simple principle: animals should be transported in a way that protects their welfare. We stepped forward to overhaul the current EU rules for animals in transport.

This is why we want to shorten travel times and reduce repetitive loading and unloading of animals. Specific rules have been proposed for animals for slaughter and for vulnerable animals, such as those that are unweaned or pregnant. 

An increase in the minimum space allowances for transported animals is proposed, based on the latest scientific recommendations. Lastly, transport in extreme temperatures will be stricter, including limiting transportation to night-time when temperatures go over 30 degrees. 

This will improve the wellbeing of more than 1.6 billion animals transported within the EU and across its borders each year.

In the last 10 years, the three competent regions of Belgium have become strong supporters of animal welfare within the EU, with significant citizen engagement, and several ambitious animal welfare measures have been implemented at regional level.

It comes as no surprise that the Belgian Presidency has identified animal welfare amongst its priorities. In particular, the Belgian Presidency organised a conference titled a “Call to Care for Animal Welfare” on 29 January to delve deeper into existing European challenges in the field of animal welfare. 

Better animal welfare reduces suffering, can help preserve biodiversity and comes with many social and economic benefits for the whole of Europe. It is not only about helping to achieve more resilient and sustainable food systems. It is ultimately a reflection of the kind of society we all want to live in.

Being human means being born with a responsibility to take care of the world that we inhabit, including the animals that we breed and handle. How we treat animals is therefore a good benchmark on how humane our societies are.

Let us work towards preventing animal maltreatment, pain and suffering. For our society, for our citizens and for our animal