Council of Europe’s recommendations included in FVO programme of audits

Posted on 14/01/2013

The European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), the body responsible for auditing Member States enforcement of EU requirements in the areas of animal health and welfare among others, published its programme of audits for 2013.

Eurogroup welcomes the fact that the Council of Europe’s recommendations are now systematically included in farm animal welfare audits.

While 2 audit reports published last year already refer to the Council of Europe’s recommendations (e.g. audits on animal welfare on farms and during transport in Slovenia and in the Netherlands), this is the first time that the Food and Veterinary Office announces it in its official programme. This is good news for species for which there is no EU detailed rules. These include farmed fish, turkeys, ducks, geese, ratites, adult cattle, goat and sheep.