The European Commission's activities in this area start with the recognition that animals are sentient beings. The general aim is to ensure that animals do not endure avoidable pain or suffering, and obliges the owner/keeper of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements.
In a speech to the European Parliament's Intergroup on Animal Welfare on 8 June 2005 Commissioner Markos Kyprianou provided an update of progress regarding the Commission's initiatives to promote animal welfare. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of 21-22 December 2004 Commissioner Kyprianou also announced the Commission’s intention to develop a European Action Plan on Animal Welfare. This Action Plan is expected to be finalised by the end of 2005 and will be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council in the form of a Communication from the Commission. At the inaugural meeting of the new Advisory Group on the Food Chain and Animal and Plant Health of 5-6 July 2005 stakeholders were invited to submit their views and comments on the Commission’s initiative by September 2005. A public internet consultation has also been launched on this issue.

Summary of response statistics for public internet consultation on the protection and welfare of farmed animals.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/consultations/action_plan_farmed_background_en.htm

1st Feb 2006
Euro-MP welcomes EU animal welfare action plan

Concrete measures to improve the protection and welfare of animals over the next five years have been outlined in a new Action Plan on the protection and welfare of animals, adopted by the European Commission.
The Action Plan aims to ensure that animal welfare is addressed in the most effective manner possible over the coming years, in all EU sectors and through relations with countries outside the EU.
Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, has welcomed the action plan, saying:
"For the period 2006-2010, five main areas of action are set out to meet this objective: upgrading minimum standards for animal welfare; promoting research and alternative approaches to animal testing; introducing standardised animal welfare indicators; better informing animal handlers and the general public on animal welfare issues; and supporting international initiatives for the protection of animals. In my six and a half years as an
MEP I have received hundreds of letters from constituents concerned about animal welfare - I think all will agree with me that the EU action plan is an important step forward."
The Action Plan, which was called for by the European Parliament and the Council, aims to clarify existing EU legislation on animal welfare, while putting forward proposals for areas where sufficient action is currently lacking. It also aims to ensure that full regard is paid to animal welfare in related policy fields such as agriculture, environmental policies, research and chemicals' testing, in line with the Protocol on Protection and Welfare of Animals annexed to the EU Treaty.
Future animal welfare policies will continue to be founded on the best available scientific advice, taking into account public expectations, socio-economic consequences and trade concerns. A Eurobarometer opinion poll and an internet consultation by the Commission have revealed widespread public support for EU action on animal welfare.
Liz Lynne MEP
http://www.lizlynne.org.uk

>>> EU Action Plan on the protection and welfare of animals