EU Animal Welfare Commissioner says better animal welfare benefits all

In an encouraging step yesterday (5 February), the EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi signalled his support for the ‘modernisation of animal welfare legislation’.

The Commissioner was speaking at an event we jointly organised with Eurogroup for Animals, From Dialogue to Vision to Action: What is needed for more sustainable and higher welfare animal farming in Europe, which brought together farmers, businesses, policymakers and NGOs at Residence Palace in Brussels.

A better system for everyone

The Brussels meeting saw stakeholders delve into how the European Union can support farmers in transitioning away from intensive farming models, which harm animals, farmers and nature.

“It is an opportunity to improve welfare, respond to citizens’ demands and increase competitiveness”, Várhelyi said. “It is an opportunity to build a better system for everyone. Following the dialogue this year, we should already have the first legislative proposals to address the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) in the next year,” he added.

Panellists included Emma Calvert (Food Policy Officer at BEUC), Maria Gafo Gomez-Zamalloa (Head of Social Sustainability Unit at DG AGRI), Miguel Ángel Higuera (Animal Health and Welfare Chair at COPA COGECA), and Ruud Zanders (Founding partner at Kipster). The event was moderated by Jack Parrock.

The time for change

We are calling for the European Commission to include a number of important measures in its soon to be published Vision for Agriculture and Food, including:

• A full revision of the EU animal welfare legislation by 2026 - including a ban on cages;
• Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy supporting farmers transitioning to higher welfare;
• Imported animal products complying with updated EU welfare rules and trade agreements being conditional on equivalent standards;
• Rules addressing the animal welfare and ecological impact of fish and seafood production and consumption.

Not ‘if’ but 'how’

Philip Lymbery, our Global CEO and President of Eurogroup for Animals, who spoke at the event, said: “Factory farming is the biggest cause of animal suffering on the planet. As the Strategic Dialogue report concluded, the transition towards more sustainable, higher-welfare farming models in the EU is no longer a matter of ‘if’, but ‘how’.

“Our event addressed exactly that, highlighting the need for an ambitious EU Vision for Agriculture and Food which includes concrete solutions to prioritise the welfare of farmed animals, ensure farmers are financially supported, and the triple planetary crisis is averted.”