Little Confidence for Animal Welfare in the Commission’s Vision

Five years ago, things seemed to be looking up for Europe’s animals. We had a new President of the Commission who seemed supportive, and the promise of a complete revision of animal welfare legislation in the Farm to Fork strategy. Re-elected for this new term, Von der Leyen has also been the first President to make sure that one member of her cabinet has animal welfare in their title. 

Now, though, things are looking more gloomy. Last year, concrete plans and actions gave way to talking and prevarication—the so-called “strategic dialogue”. The promised overhaul of animal welfare laws shrank to a revision of the rules on animal transport, and an unexpected—but not unwelcome—proposal on the traceability of cats and dogs. 

And End the Cage Age, the only ECI to receive a positive commitment from the Commission? Despite being presented with 1.4 million signatures, they haven’t honored their side of the bargain.

Stemming from the strategic dialogue, we now have today’s “Vision for Agriculture and Food”. While heavy with its praise for the farming sector throughout the text, it forgets about citizens and consumers. Where it does mention animal welfare, it is in terms of “raising global standards […] in areas critical for ensuring fair competition”. Even when addressing the “EU’s concerns about animal welfare and environmental protection” and “to uphold EU’s moral values in response to societal demand”, the Commission will “pursue, in line with international rules, a stronger alignment of production standards applied to imported products”—which doesn’t necessarily mean improvement of EU legislation.

Elsewhere in the text, things appear more hopeful; but still with the provision that any action “can present new opportunities for farmers.” It promises to “present proposals on the revision of the existing animal welfare legislation, including its commitment to phase out cages.” Great news! However, the wording is again tied to the impact on farmers, whose lobby groups will have the power to block advances: “This revision will […] take into account the socio-economic impact on farmers and the agri-food chain, providing support and appropriate, species-specific transition periods and pathways.” 

Finally, a vague suggestion, made solely to appease the voters: “the Commission will consider targeted labelling in relation to animal welfare to address societal expectations.”

Olga Kikou, Director of Advocacy at The European Institute of Animal Law & Policy and one of the organizers of the ‘End the Cage Age’ European Citizens’ Initiative, stated: “This Vision is just that—a Vision—rather than a real plan or a set of concrete actions. It’s reassuring to see cages mentioned, and we are waiting to see what the Commission have up their sleeves in regards to this. However, what is glaringly missing is a reference to the urgent need for a change in our diets. A shift towards more plant-based consumption is crucial for the much-needed reduction in animal numbers in farming, as well as having an amazing impact on animal welfare, climate change, public health, and more. What we need are actual solutions for nature-friendly farming that can improve animal welfare.”  

We’re also missing anything related to improved welfare for chickens, reduced stocking densities, an end to more routine mutilations, better welfare for aquatic animals, and the phasing out of cruel slaughter practices.

By focusing on these, policymakers would be both respecting the rising expectations of voters and addressing the urgent need for progress in our food system, made all the more critical as the impact of the climate crisis accelerates.

This five-year term can, and must, bring this much-needed reform.