Animal Welfare in the European Union Emily McIvor Senior Advisor, Research and Toxicology HSI-Europe ECR Hearing: Animal Welfare in the European Union

Animal Welfare in Animal Welfare in

the European Unionthe European Union

Emily McIvorEmily McIvorSenior Advisor, Research and ToxicologySenior Advisor, Research and Toxicology

HSI-EuropeHSI-Europe

ECR Hearing: Animal Welfare in the European UnionECR Hearing: Animal Welfare in the European Union

18 November 2010. Brussels.18 November 2010. Brussels.

• Among the largest animal protection societies in the world• 11+ million members globally• Offices in Australia, Canada, China, UK, India, Latin

America, USA• Spheres of activity

• Public & corporate policy, education, direct care (outside the EU)

• EU Activities• Cat and dog fur ban / ban on trade in seal products• Environmental impacts of animal agriculture• Animal experiments and testing, eg.:

• Product testing (cosmetics, pesticides, biocides, REACH)• Revision of Directive 86/609• Promotion of alternatives to animal testing and research

• Approach• Science-driven advocacy and lobbying• Representing the views of supporters during policy-making

and legislative processes

Humane Society International-EUHumane Society International-EU

ECR Hearing: Animal Welfare in the European Union, 18ECR Hearing: Animal Welfare in the European Union, 18 thth November 2010, European Parliament, Brussels. November 2010, European Parliament, Brussels.

Special EUROBAROMETER 225

"Social values, Science & Technology" 2005

'Over four in five EU citizens declare that we have a duty to protect animal rights regardless the cost’

Agree: Belgium 78%, Denmark 82%, Germany 84%. Greece 91%, Spain 81%, France 88%, Ireland 77%, Italy 87%, Luxembourg 89%, The Netherlands 81%, Austria 86%, Portugal 88%, Finland 75%, Sweden 86%, United Kingdom 68%, Cyprus 89%, Czech Republic 70%, Estonia 83%, Hungary 80%, Latvia 85%, Lithuania 76%, Malta 88%, Poland 82%, Slovakia 68%

Also surveyed: Bulgaria 58%, Romania 81%, Croatia 85%, Turkey 80%, Iceland 60%, Switzerland 79%

European Union: Animal WelfareEuropean Union: Animal Welfare


..

2006 – 2010: ‘Developing and guaranteeing animal welfare and protection within the European Union (EU) and in other parts of the world.’

The Commission would like to achieve the following objectives:

• define more clearly EU action on animal welfare;

• continue to promote high standards in this field;

• provide greater coordination of resource;

• support research and promote alternatives to animal testing;

• ensure the coherence and coordination of all EU policies on animal welfare;

The action plan defines five main fields of interlinked action

• upgrading minimum standards

• promoting research and substitute methods for animal testing;

• introducing welfare indicators ;

• ensuring that professionals and the general public are better informed;

• supporting international initiatives for animal protection.

Community Action Plan on the Community Action Plan on the Welfare & Protection of AnimalsWelfare & Protection of Animals

Animal Experiments Directive (2010/63) • requires for national inspections, some unannounced,

and EU controls of national inspections.• EU level ‘control’ is essential in responding to citizens’

concerns, and ensuring that best practice is not penalised.

• Enforcement currently perceived to be very weak.Maintaining animal welfare deadlines and targets• Cosmetics animal test and marketing bans (7th

Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive foresees complete test and marketing ban implemented by 2013)

• Plans already underway to delay the 2013 deadline.• Animal welfare organisations actively campaigning to

keep the ban in place.

Strengthening EnforcementStrengthening Enforcement


Article 7.2 prohibits animal procedures that can be replaced by alternatives.

And yet:• Last year and investigation in a UK lab found rabbits used

to test fever-causing potential of drugs, when this can be tested using an alternative method.

• Shellfish destined for human consumption are injected into the stomachs of mice causing ‘severe’ suffering when modern liquid chromatography can be used instead (and is used routinely in many countries).

• Even now that EFSA and the SCFCAH have accepted the alternative methods, a two year phase out of the animal method is envisaged.

Directive 86/608 EnforcementDirective 86/608 Enforcement


Global Trade and Farm Animal Welfare Conference on Global Trade and Farm Animal Welfare on 20-21 January 2009.

• The rules of international trade can have an immense impact on animal welfare, and mostly on the welfare of farmed animals.

• The development of trade agreements can either undermine important legislative achievements, or offer relevant opportunities to promote animal welfare legislation and standards at the international level.

International initiativesInternational initiatives


• Market mechanisms - consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for "ethical" products;

• Dialogue at the international level aiming at greater recognition of animal welfare.

• Promotion of animal welfare standards in trade arrangements;

• Within the Commission, DG Trade is responsible for general trade issues, including negotiations in the WTO), DG Agriculture as far as trade in agricultural products is concerned;

• Improvement of labelling regimes to respond to consumer demands for higher standards;

• DG Agriculture is responsible for the labelling of agricultural products, for other labelling questions DG Enterprise is the responsible Commission service;

• Strengthening the position of animal welfare in EU agricultural policy as part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy focusing on "quality rather than quantity";

Farmed animals in Third Countries and the implications for the EU (2002)

Signatories to the declaration are: Animal Welfare Institute; Compassion in World Farming; Eurogroup for Animals; Global Animal Partnership; The Humane Society of the United States; Humane Society International; International Fund for Animal Welfare; Royal Society for the Protection of Animals; World Society for the Protection of Animals

The text of the declaration can be found here:

http://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/tawc/

Launch of the Transatlantic Animal Welfare Council - April 2010


http://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/tawc/

• Consumers increasingly expect producers and governments to consider AW in animal production

• Consumer demand and willingness to pay premium prices often catalyses improvements in AW

• Lack of explicit international trade rules, expertise, capacity, and equipment often lead developing countries to view AW requirements as a “trade barrier.”

Animal Welfare and International Trade


Over the long term, investment in stronger AW standards and practices can yield significant benefits:– Expanded market opportunities– Enhanced food safety and quality– Premium pricing– Mitigation of the spread of disease

Animal Welfare as an Economic Benefit


International trade rules/agreements can facilitate stronger AW practices:– Clarify/strengthen/establish rules and

standards, – enforce compliance, – eliminate certain government subsidies,– provide trade capacity building and

technical assistance

Animal Welfare and International Trade Agreements


According to the OECD, Trade Capacity Building programs enhance “the ability of policy makers,

enterprises and civil society in developing countries” to establish trade policies that:

– set agendas and identify objectives; – increase the volume and value-added of exports;– diversify exports and export markets; and – increase participation and benefits from the global

trading system

Animal Welfare and Trade Capacity Building


Objectives:Promoting harmonization of 3Rs best practices (data requirements &

acceptance of alternative/non-animal testing strategies) across regulated product sectors

Ensuring that animal-based contract testing/research in third countries meets EU standards as minimum

Trade in wild-caught animals for scientific purposes

Example:EU-Korea FTA, Annex 2-E(Chemicals)• promoting alternative methods for assessment of hazards of substances and

reducing animal testing;• cooperating in the area of Good Laboratory Practices and Test Guidelines, in

order to seek a more harmonised approach to chemical assessment and management for the purpose of seeking international harmonisation of approaches thereto.

HSI objectives re: animalHSI objectives re: animaltesting in trade agreementstesting in trade agreements


In addition to raising standards through EU legislation, overarching animal welfare objectives are necessary.

• Without robust and transparent enforcement measures, best practice is not rewarded.

• Penalties for non-compliance should be built in to legislation (such as ban on sale of animal tested cosmetics).

• Without greater activity at international level, EU measures can be undermined, and producers applying higher standards disadvantaged.

Advantages:• Appropriate response to public opinion• Level playing field for companies

ConclusionsConclusions


Action Plan 2011 – 2015 priorities

Enforcement

International activity

The welfare of animals used in research and testing to be given appropriate attention

Community Action Plan on the Community Action Plan on the Welfare & Protection of AnimalsWelfare & Protection of Animals


Documents

Animal Welfare in the European Union Emily McIvor Senior Advisor, Research and Toxicology HSI-Europe ECR Hearing: Animal Welfare in the European Union