Irish Presidency urged to act on animal welfare

Posted on 19/12/2012

Eurogroup for Animals has today published a Memorandum outlining its position on animal welfare policies that will be discussed as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the next six months.

Eurogroup urges the Irish Presidency to support the following:

• Cosmetics testing: Ensure that the ban on the marketing of cosmetic products tested on animals is implemented as scheduled on 1 March 2013 without any derogation.
• International Trade in Endangered Species: Increase consideration of the welfare of animals during the preparations for the next Conference of the Parties to CITES to take place in Bangkok in March 2013.
• Reform of the CAP: Ensure that the EU and Member States allow for sufficient funding for farmers to move to welfare friendly, sustainable livestock farming, as well as bring an end to subsidies to export live animals outside the EU.
• Cloning of animals for food: Press for a full ban on the cloning of animals for food production and on the import of food from animal clones and their offspring.
• Companion animals: Ensure compulsory identification of pet animals as well as registration in an authorised database that is accessible anywhere in the EU.
• Bilateral trade agreements: use bilateral trade agreements to promote animal protection by calling for equivalence with EU animal welfare standards for imported products and exchange of expertise and capacity building.

We also urge the Irish Presidency to support measures that ensure that the welfare of all categories of animals is taken into account when the new animal health law is considered. Last but not least, on cross-cutting issues, Eurogroup hopes that the next Environment Action Programme will fully integrate environmental concerns as well as  animal welfare across EU policies.