92% of EU Citizens Want Better Animal Welfare, According to European Commission Consultation
European Commission consultation shows that vast majority of its citizens want stronger animal welfare legislation
6 April 2022 – A new report published by The European Commission showed that 92% of the near 60,000 public respondents wanted stronger legislation on animal welfare.
The report was the summary of last year's online public consultation in support to the fitness check and revision of the EU animal welfare legislation with the scope to collect “views and experiences both on the fitness of the current EU animal welfare legislation, as well as on possible options on how to improve and complement the existing provisions.”
Pierre Sultana, Director of the European Policy Office at FOUR PAWS, called the response “staggering” and that “the amount of people who took part is incredible, it really shows that the public supports more progressive animal welfare legislation across all 27 member states. And let's be honest, they are right, it is the EU institutions who are dragging their feet.”
The report also showed a vast majority support for phasing out the use of cages at 93%, while 90% of respondents recognised that an EU animal welfare label as useful tool for informing consumers as well as 83% believe that it should include broader criteria, such as transport and slaughter.
Sultana also said, “This is now an opportunity not only for reflection, but revision. FOUR PAWS has been calling and campaigning for all of these major issues to be addressed. EU citizens have spoken and now it is time for the European Commission to listen. The fitness check now needs to be the starting block used to tighten legislation and close loopholes.”
“FOUR PAWS will continue to call for a total ban on live exports to third countries, transports via sea and transports of unweaned animals, four hours maximum journey time for rabbits and poultry and eight hours for all other animals."
Please find below the factual summary report of the online public consultation in support to the fitness check and revision of the EU animal welfare legislation (Ref. Ares(2022)2359311 - 30/03/2022)
The consultation began on 15 October 2021 and ended 21 January 2022.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org