Italy keeps failing to implement controls for animal welfare

Posted on 27/04/2012

The European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office published the disappointing outcome of an audit carried out in Italy from 9 to 18 November 2011.

The audit team evaluated the implementation of controls for animal welfare on farms and during transport and reported major shortcomings in the area to ensure compliance with the laying hens Directive, with checks on the fitness of animals upon arrival at slaughterhouses and regarding the accuracy of journey logs accompanying animals to their destination.

Overall the audit reveals that there are very limited measures taken against private practitioners issuing misleading certificates of fitness for transport of cull cows. With regard to the long standing problem of forced moulting, noted by the FVO already in 2005, the regional authorities continue to fail to implement the measures requested by the Central Competent Authority. Lastly, it is still unclear what measures the Competent Authorities will apply regarding the use of unenriched cages that are still present in the country 4 months after the entry into force of their ban.

This report shows an appalling lack of consideration from the Competent Authorities responsible for the enforcement of animal welfare laws and Eurogroup urges the European Commission to take action againsts Italy to ensure swift and full implementation of controls for animal welfare on farms and during transport.