Platform conclusions

Disclaimers

The content of the documents does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Commission. The EU Platform on Animal Welfare only endorsed the English version of the documents. Other languages only serve for informational purposes.

The Platform adopts conclusions elaborated by its working groups according to Article 7.6 of the Commission Decision of 24 January 2017 establishing the Platform. The following documents aim to improve the welfare of various animal species in the EU.

Subgroup on animal welfare labelling

The Platform thanks the members of the subgroup on animal welfare labelling for their work and invites the Commission to consider the conclusions of the subgroup for further EU activities on this matter.

• Conclusions of the animal welfare labelling subgroup

Subgroup on transport

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the subgroup. The subgroup has produced a number of relevant documents on “exports of cattle” and on “extreme temperatures” and the Platform invites its members to disseminate the recommendations of the documents and take actions in line with the documents and proposals.

These should contribute to improve the welfare of animals and to better enforce the EU legislation on animal transport. In relation to the document on “unweaned animals (calves)” produced by the subgroup, the platform acknowledges that it contributes substantially to progress on the issue, but further dialogue is necessary before recommending its dissemination and use.

Exports of cattle

• Recommendations to improve the development and exchange of coordinated actions regarding cattle exports to non-EU countries
• Organiser's factsheet: Organizing the export of cattle via road to a non-EU country?

Extreme temperatures

• Research gaps on the topic of animal welfare during transport under extreme temperatures
• Proposals for dissemination of information
• Proposal for an application on live animal transport
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Cattle
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Horses
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Pigs
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Poultry
• Factsheet transport extreme temperatures Sheep

Subgroup on welfare of pigs

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the subgroup. The subgroup has provided targeted proposals for assisting in the development of indicators for tail-biting risks. 

The Platform invites the EU Reference Centre on animal welfare for pigs to consider the document “Indicators for tail biting risks relating to compliance criteria on health, dietary factors and space and competition” within the framework of its Work Programme for the future.

The Platform invites its members to use this proposal, to develop it further in their research frameworks, and in proposals to strengthen official controls using animal welfare indicators. 

In relation to the document “Measuring tail damage at the slaughterhouse and setting common thresholds” produced by the subgroup, the platform acknowledges the principle but dialogue on the technical details is necessary before recommending its dissemination and use.

Voluntary initiative on the welfare of equids

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the voluntary initiative. 

The working group concludes that the following documents should be promoted by all Platform members in order to improve the welfare of equids, donkeys and donkey hybrids in the EU.

Leaflet on tourism – “What to check before going on a ride or drive”

Guidance for competent authorities and tourism operators to ensure the welfare of working equids in tourism.

Horses

The guide is also available in Ukrainian.

• Horse Guide Factsheet - infectious disease and biosecurity - (português)
• Horse Guide Factsheet - Hoof Care - (português)
• Horse Guide Factsheet - Water - (português)
• Horse Guide Factsheet - Turnout - shelter and pasture - (português)
• Horse Guide Factsheet - Stable - indoor housing - (português)
• Horse Guide Factsheet - Social interaction and comfort behaviour - (português)
• Horse Guide Factsheet - Feed - (português)

Donkeys and donkey hybrids.

• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Accommodation
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Assessment of the welfare of donkeys
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - End-of-life decision making
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Handling and training
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Hoof care
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Transporting donkeys by road
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Water and feed
• Donkey Guide Factsheet - Working and production donkeys

Voluntary initiative on the health and welfare of pets (dogs and cats) in trade

The Platform acknowledges the work of the voluntary initiative members and concludes that the following documents should be promoted by all Platform members in order to improve the health and welfare of dogs and cats in the EU trade:

• Responsible Dog Breeding Guidelines – Short version
• Responsible Cat Breeding Guidelines – Short version
• Guidelines on commercial movement of cats and dogs by land – Short version
• Supplementary guidance on the socialisation of puppies
• Supplementary guidance on the socialisation of kittens

Infographs and accompanying leaflets for buyers of dogs and for online platforms:

• Guidelines for online platforms selling dogs - Infograph;
• Guidelines for online platforms selling dogs - Leaflet;
• Guidelines for buyers of dogs – Infograph (EN) - (DE);
• Guidelines for buyers of dogs – Leaflet (EN) - (DE);

Voluntary initiative on the welfare of fish

The Platform acknowledges the work of the voluntary initiative members and concludes that the following document should be promoted by all Platform members in order to improve the welfare of fish in the EU: Guidelines on Water Quality and Handling for the Welfare of Farmed Vertebrate Fish, which is available in 23 languages:

Voluntary initiative on the welfare of pullets

The Platform thanks and acknowledges the work of the members of the voluntary initiative on the welfare of pullets. The working group concludes that the “Guide on best management practice for the welfare of pullets” should be promoted in order to improve the welfare of pullets in the EU:

• Guide on best management practice for the welfare of pullets

Recommendations from voluntary initiatives on the new EU animal welfare legislation

The members of the voluntary initiatives on the welfare of equids and on the welfare of pets have committed to support the European Commission with expertise on possible elements for future EU animal welfare legislation on equids and on pets. 

The documents produced were not endorsed as Platform conclusions and serve solely as a set of information for the European Commission.

The documents produced by the working group on pets are recommendations on possible elements concerning the transport, breeding and marketing & sales of dogs and cats kept/traded for commercial purposes.

• Recommendations on possible elements for EU legislation on Marketing and sales of dogs and cats
• Recommendations on possible elements for EU legislation on Transport of dogs and cats
• Recommendations on possible elements for EU legislation on Breeding of dogs and cats

The group on equids formulated recommendations on possible elements concerning the following sectors: kept animals, transport and slaughter.

• Recommendations for the upcoming Animal Welfare legislation on the Welfare of Equids