NGOs Urge European Commission to Prioritize Animal Welfare in Future Farming Vision
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has announced plans for her new Commission to unveil a ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ within the first 100 days. However, various associations are urging for animal welfare to be incorporated into this vision, as the topic was not addressed in her investiture speech in the European Parliament.
Olga Kikou, director of advocacy at the European Institute for Animal Law and Policy, expressed concern in a press release stating, “President von der Leyen’s speech to the European Parliament and her political guidelines (…) were silent on the legally-binding commitment to end caged farming and the broader revision of animal welfare legislation.”
In 2020, the European Commission initiated a significant review of animal welfare laws but later indicated that completing this task would fall to the incoming Commission. As of December 2023, only two legislative proposals had been introduced: one on animal transport and another regarding pet welfare and traceability.
Kikou emphasized that this is an opportunity for the president to address the majority of Europeans’ requests by reintroducing animal welfare legislation in her Vision for Agriculture and Food.
NGOs are applying pressure for stricter enforcement of existing regulations, particularly concerning the transport of live animals. Recently, around twenty organizations sent a letter to the Commission calling for an urgent implementation of laws governing animal transport. Reports have surfaced alleging that unweaned Irish calves are being transported to France without adequate food during ferry crossings, violating EU regulations. An audit report released by the Commission on December 22, 2023, confirmed this breach and demanded corrective measures from Irish authorities, which have yet to be provided.
In March, the ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign took legal action against the Commission for not fulfilling a commitment to phase out cage farming in poultry. NGOs also highlight the necessity to ban fur farming in Europe, with the ‘No Fur in Europe’ citizens’ initiative gathering over 1.5 million signatures in 2023.
In addition to these issues, calls for changes to slaughtering regulations and enhanced animal welfare labeling are gaining momentum. A new European citizens’ initiative, ‘Stop Cruelty Stop Slaughter,’ has been registered, urging the Commission to reduce farm animal numbers and promote alternatives such as plant-based and cultivated meat products.
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John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.