News In Brief:
– EU agriculture ministers rally behind the Commission’s initiatives to bolster animal welfare standards, emphasising urgent need for reforms in transport, labeling, and slaughter practices.
– Concerns arise over slow legislative progress, prompting calls for expedited action to harmonise regulations and ensure fair competition within the EU market.
European Union agriculture ministers recently convened to rally behind the European Commission’s initiatives aimed at bolstering animal welfare standards, particularly focusing on transport, labeling, and slaughter practices. The urgency of these reforms has been emphasised amidst growing concerns about the welfare of domestic animals and the need for stringent regulations.
German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir cautioned against any slowdown in the momentum established by the current Commission’s efforts, urging the incoming Commission to uphold and expedite the proposed reforms. The sentiment was echoed by Swedish Minister Peter Kullgren, emphasising the need for swift action in implementing announced reforms.
However, criticisms have arisen regarding the pace of legislative revisions. The Belgian Presidency highlighted discrepancies between planned revisions and actual progress, a sentiment shared by Members of the European Parliament during recent debates. Legal actions have even been taken against the Commission over alleged delays in proposing measures to phase out the use of cages in farming.
While acknowledging advancements in discussions on animal welfare, ministers emphasised the pressing need for expedited work on transport regulations. Irish Minister Charlie McConalogue stressed collective efforts to enhance animal transport standards, with German Minister Özdemir indicating a timeline for resuming discussions by July.
In addition to transport, ministers advocated for new standards concerning slaughter, breeding, and product labeling. They underscored the importance of harmonising regulations across member states to ensure fair competition within the EU and to align standards for both domestic and imported products.
Meanwhile, Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to advancing animal welfare reforms. These efforts are positioned within the broader context of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU food systems, emphasising a holistic approach to addressing agricultural challenges.
