Thanks to 1 million citizens demanding action for wild animals in circuses, today the European Parliament (EP) discussed the topic in plenary for the very first time. The European Commission’s position is not committal and in sharp opposition to the EP’s demand for action. However, the debate showed a groundswell of political support to end the suffering of wild animals in entertainment, and a recognition for the public and civil society demands.
The global animal welfare organization is excited to participate in the conference organized by the European Institutions to discuss urgent concerns with and needed changes to the EU legislation on animal welfare.
The Committee of Inquiry on Animal Transport (ANIT) in the European Parliament voted on the report describing the systemic problems with live animal transport within and outside the European Union and draft recommendations that will be voted on in plenary. The documents already address first important aspects, but more ambition is needed.
The Document submitted by the respective governments to be discussed in this week’s AGRIFISH Council Meeting addresses several important animal welfare topics.
While the speech addressed the two biggest threats the European Union currently faces, it failed to mention one of the main drivers behind both of these issues.
After all of the compromise amendments were accepted yesterday, the animal welfare organisation welcomes the adoption of the entire report, despite certain weaknesses regarding animal welfare.
The EU Parliament passed a resolution on the “End The Cage Age” European Citizens Initiative and puts further pressure on the European Commission to improve welfare standards across the EU.
FOUR PAWS welcomes the adoption of the report, but was disappointed to see that some of the adopted amendments weakened the report’s impact on animal welfare.
The committee, that is investigating animal transport matters, will continue its work throughout the hot summer months to further investigate animal welfare concerns during transports.
An evaluation of the strategy published by the European Commission supports what FOUR PAWS has been pointing out: despite the clear intentions of the strategy, there is a wide gap between legislation and enforcement of animal welfare regulations in the EU.
On the cusp of the mink breeding season, which is set to resume at the end of this month, the European Food Safety Agency has released a report finding that all mink farms should be considered at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks and must be strictly monitored.
18 February 2021 – New assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on SARS-CoV-2 in animals used for fur farming shows high risks for Europe.
The international animal welfare organisation encourages MEPs to show their support and call on the European Commission to end all commercial tiger trade. FOUR PAWS recently initiated a letter directed to the Commission and which was signed by 105 other NGOs echoing the demands of the pledge and the 6 MEPs who have already signed.
Today, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) has voted in favor of the adoption of a Motion for a Resolution on “Protecting the EU’s internal market and consumer rights against the negative implications of the illegal trade in companion animals”.
FOUR PAWS condemns the decision of the European Commission earlier this month to include animals farmed for their fur in the 2nd reference centre for small farmed animals
FOUR PAWS welcomes the creation of the voluntary initiative subgroup on improving the health and welfare of pets (dogs) in trade, and of other new subgroups.
European Commission publishes report on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices. VIER PFOTEN/FOUR PAWS welcomes the fact that CAROdog and CAROcat are mentioned as best examples.
VIER PFOTEN/FOUR PAWS welcomes the debate and in particular the Commission’s announcement on the start of preparatory work on the identification and registration (I&R) of pets in Europe.
