The enforcement of animal welfare legislation falls within the principle of subsidiarity, which means that:
EU countries are responsible for:
day to day enforcement through their national legislation and control activities
transposition of directives into national legislation and the implementation of EU rules at national level
Commission is responsible for:
providing appropriate information and where necessary training on EU legislative requirements
ensuring that EU legislation is properly implemented and enforced
in extreme cases taking action against EU countries that have failed to implement legal requirements
How this is achieved:
inspections and controls undertaken by the Health and Food Audits and Analysis Directorate to check that competent authorities in EU countries apply EU legislation in an effective and uniform way
the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health provides a platform for representatives of the Member States to discuss issues of public or animal health or animal welfare and when necessary approve urgent measures
For scientific opinions reference is made to EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)
Areas of responsibility:
The legislation is designed to cover all stages of a farm animal's life whilst on the farm, during transport and at the time of killing.