EU ministers made a New Year’s resolution to improve the lives of animals

Published 16/12/2019

Ahead of the holiday season, EU ministers gave a gift to animals by making a political commitment to improve their lives. Today, 16 December 2019, the Council of the EU adopted Conclusions, calling for sustainable animal production.

The Conclusions invited the Commission to work towards new legislation for animals, such as farmed rabbits and farmed fish, as there are currently no EU standards tailored to their needs. The Council of the EU also encouraged the Commission to review the law regulating the transport of animals, Regulation 1/2005, and to consider a shift from the trade in live animals into meat.

“Today, EU countries made a wonderful New Year’s resolution to help animals!" said Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU. "We wish they were more ambitious. In particular, they could have called for a phase out of cages for farm animals. However, this is a very good first step!”

“Thanks to the Finnish Presidency of the Council, there is now a positive impetus from EU countries to improve the lives of animals,” continued Olga. “We call on the Croatian Presidency to build upon this momentum and to assert the role of the EU as the leader in animal welfare legislation. To start with, let’s end the use of cages for farm animals, once and for all!”