As EU Commission representatives at the moment are overtly admitting, during the last 20 years the dedication of their predecessors to animal welfare was insufficient or fully absent, largely consisting of reassuring however empty phrases.
We at the moment are protecting a hopeful eye on the efforts being made to revise, replace and combine the EU laws on animal welfare. Being life like, nonetheless, we should acknowledge that these constructive steps are being taken throughout skinny ice.
We also needs to keep in mind that in 2024, after the subsequent European elections, a brand new EU Commission will take over. If nothing modifications, that Commission’s angle to animal welfare will decide whether or not this matter continues to obtain the eye that it deserves – and that’s demanded by EU residents – or is sidelined and forgotten once more.
The means animals are handled within the EU and the affect that European choices have on the remainder of the world are too vital to be left on this fog of uncertainty. Long-term plans – that are so important on this context – can not moderately be made if it stays unclear whether or not curiosity and assets will proceed within the close to future.
The excellent news is that one thing may be finished to dispel the uncertainty. Indeed, it should be finished if the current commitments are to be preserved and, when mandatory, up to date.
Over the previous couple of months, greater than 140,000 residents and 152 MEPs have joined the #EUforAnimals marketing campaign, demanding that extra prominence be given to animal welfare by making the duty for it express within the identify of the related directorate-general and within the job title of the competent EU commissioner.
In the current context, the commissioner’s duty would develop into for “well being, meals security and animal welfare”.
This huge cross-party and worldwide political support has led to the preparation of an oral query, which was tabled on 10 January and supported by the most important variety of MEPs in a few years.
An oral query may be tabled by a parliamentary committee, a political group or a minimal of 36 MEPs.
In this case, over 110 MEPs have joined Danish S&D MEP Niels Fuglsang in asking the EU fee whether it is planning to reply positively to this proposal and, if that’s the case, what procedures aimed toward implementing it have been activated.
Oral questions may be remodeled by the convention of presidents of the parliamentary teams into resolutions. Given the unprecedented variety of supporters, that is what its promoters count on.
More than two-thirds public support
In June 2021, an Ipsos survey confirmed that 69 % of EU residents suppose that there must be a European Commissioner for Animal Welfare.
If we evaluate this determine with the support for a Commissioner for Sports (45 %), we will see that the proposal of the #EUforAnimals marketing campaign and of the associated oral query represents the important subsequent step for the EU establishments in displaying their dedication to animal welfare.
Failing to reply positively to this demand wouldn’t solely present a disregard for residents’ opinions but additionally a scarcity of concern as as to whether the legislative acts that will probably be authorized within the coming months will probably be correctly carried out sooner or later.
GAIA determined to spend money on the coordination of this marketing campaign – now supported by over 40 teams throughout the EU – to make sure that concrete actions will proceed to match the formidable statements that many politicians are generously making in favour of animal welfare.
The lack of prominence at present given to animal welfare within the work of DG SANTE is symbolised by the delegation of this duty to an workplace that can also be in command of antimicrobial resistance – as if animal welfare had been some type of veterinary remedy.
A change of angle is lengthy overdue. Animals have been recognised as sentient beings in EU treaties for over 20 years, however the institutional placement of this duty nonetheless categorises them as agricultural merchandise. Currently, the welfare of animals is protected solely the place it doesn’t conflict with sure personal financial pursuits.
This angle is anachronistic and counterproductive. It can also be far faraway from the ethics of European residents.
Having an EU Commissioner for Health, Food Safety and Animal Welfare would assure that there are enough assets for this matter and {that a} particular Directorate would take care of each its moral and its scientific points. It would additionally be sure that the EU establishments could be extra clear and accountable after they take care of this subject.
Raising the extent of ambition on this means would have an affect on the worldwide commerce relations of EU international locations, providing European farmers higher defences in opposition to the import of cheaper, low-welfare animal merchandise.
MEPs and residents have made their views clear. It is now as much as the EU fee to affix them by responding positively to this name for a real, constant and lasting dedication to bettering animal welfare within the EU and past.