Animal welfare: EU platform to be launched next week

Commissioner Andriukaitis said: "I expect the Platform to be a true engine for real and concrete progress in the area of animal welfare in the EU. We can achieve this if all the actors make every effort to better implement the existing rules and commit to concrete improvements on the ground." The EU Platform on Animal Welfare brings together all relevant stakeholders involved in the field of animal welfare: business and professional organisations, organisations from civil society, independent experts from academic and research institutes, EU and European Economic Area Member States, the European Food Safety Authority and relevant international intergovernmental organisations. The Platform's main objectives and desired outcomes are, first of all, the better application of EU rules on animal welfare, through exchanges of information, best practices and the direct involvement of stakeholders. Secondly, the development and use of voluntary commitments by businesses to further improve animal welfare. Finally, the Platform intends to focus on how to promote EU animal welfare standards better in order to increase the market value of the Union's products globally. At the inaugural meeting, the members will discuss how the Platform can contribute to better implementation and understanding of EU legislation on animal welfare at national, European and global level, and share good practices and professional experiences. The meeting will be web-streamed here and on EbS (at 10:00 CET).

The agenda is available online.