Following these developments and the increasing use of feedlots to produce beef, even in Europe, it
has become essential to clarify the very detrimental impact of this method of production on cattle welfare.
This briefing illustrates the harmful effects on animal health and welfare of common industry practices when
finishing cattle on feedlots.

This briefing summarises Eurogroup for Animals’ contribution to the consultation launched by the European Commission on the evaluation of six Euro-Med FTAs. Eurogroup for Animals calls on the EU to include provisions on animal welfare cooperation in all upgraded Euro-Med FTAs and to cooperate with DG SANTE to ensure sufficient resources are dedicated to this work aimed at lifting living and slaughtering standards for millions of animals, not only those exported from the EU but also the ones raised in Euro-Med countries their entire life. The EU should establish a roadmap on this cooperation with each Euro-Med countries, providing clear steps and direction for this work. This roadmap should envisage the transition towards a trade in meat and carcasses.

As a result of the proliferation of industrial farm animal production on the one hand and growing global crises such as climate change and antimicrobial resistance on the other, food sustainability – including animal welfare – has become an increasingly important item on a long list of pressing concerns for people around the world. With over half of EU citizens expressing willingness to pay more for high welfare, and therefore more sustainable products, a mandatory ‘method-of-production’ label on the farming of animals used for food could enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. This policy brief explores the characteristics of an optimal method-of-production labelling system.

From frogs and reptiles to chickens and apes, Indonesia is home to a tremendous amount of biodiversity. Many of these animals suffer from destruction of their natural habitats or from their own exploitation for economic purposes – or both. A lack of attention in an EU-Indonesia free trade agreement could only intensify these problems. The trade negotiations, as well as the structures that such trade agreement can establish, should be used as an opportunity to discuss with Indonesia the enforcement of CITES-related rules to better protect endangered species and the welfare of farmed animals. The EU should be more ambitious
on conservation and not only work on animal welfare when there is a direct threat to its producers. If trade is really about projecting European values, it should ensure that liberalisation not only does not imply more
animals suffering but also promotes a better fate for all living creatures.