Council of Europe

ABOUT THE ISSUE

The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental body, set up in 1949, whose main aim is to promote human rights and democracy and seek solutions to problems affecting European society. It now has 47 member countries representing around 800 million citizens. There are five Conventions that have been agreed on issues relating to animal welfare, and one on conservation and protection of wildlife and habitats. A Convention is only legally binding for a country when that country has signed and ratified it. Many of the provisions and aims in the Council of Europe Conventions are acknowledged by the EU when it has acceded to a Convention and substantial parts have and continue to be translated into EU law.

Eurogroup for Animals participates as an observer in the work related to animal welfare Conventions: we provide technical and scientific advise in Standing Committees, Working Parties and Drafting Groups.

Council of Europe Conventions Covering Animal Welfare and Wildlife

Convention Issues covered Recommendations/ Resolutions Protection of animals during international transport(CETS 065) & (CETS 193) General provisions On the transport of horses, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats, and poultry Protection of animals for farming purposes (CETS 087) General provisions On farmed fish, pigs, turkeys, fur animals, ducks, geese, ratites, domestic fowl, cattle, goat, sheep Protection of animals for slaughter (CETS 102) Sets standards on slaughter and lairaging   Protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other purposes (CETS 123) Sets standards on data collection and use of animals; gives guidelines on accommodation On xenotransplantation Protection of companion animals (CETS 125) Sets standards on keeping, breeding and killing of pets On surgical operations, breeding, and the keeping of wild animals as pets Conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (CETS 104) Establishes areas and species for protection and methods of killing