This article authored by Alice Di Concetto (Chief Legal Advisor) was published in the International Journal of Wildlife Law & Policy.
The European Commission’s Vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture is out, and we’re happy to see a mention of animal welfare. The text says the Commission will “further develop the EU framework for the welfare of farmed aquatic animals across all stages of production, building on existing good husbandry practices, guidance and scientific knowledge.”
1.6 billion cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry are transported across EU countries and outside the EU every year, making the bloc the biggest live animal exporter in the world. EU legislation on the protection of animals during transport is more than 20 years old – but the European Commission’s proposal for new rules on animal welfare during transport has been stuck with the co-legislators since its publication in December 2023.
Earlier this year, Nueva Pescanova abandoned its plans to build the world’s first commercial octopus farm in Gran Canaria, Spain. The threat will not go away until we have a ban on octopus farming in EU law. A joint letter to the European Commission, coordinated by CIWF, explains why farming carnivorous aquatic species is inherently incompatible with animal welfare.
