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Displaying 121 - 144 of 161 Publications

Exotic Pet Trade: Analysis of the Problems and Identification of Solutions

Wildlife
Report

The present report aims at summarising and explaining the problems related to the keeping and trade of exotic pets, presenting arguments stated in peer reviewed articles and published reports. This report also demonstrates that, while there are several ways to regulate the keeping and sale of exotic pets, a Positive List (a list of allowed species) is the most effective, concise, transparent, precautionary, enforceable and economically feasible way to reduce the suffering of exotic animals and the risks for the environment and the human and animal health.

Roadmap for EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030

Wildlife
Policy Briefing

Eurogroup for Animals welcomes the drafting of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 as a key delivery of the EU Green Deal. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment Report published in May 2019 exposed that biodiversity is declining globally at unprecedented rates. In the EU alone, unsustainable intensification of agriculture and fisheries have
left only 23% of protected species and 16% of protected habitats in good conservation, and therefore sustainable, status. Clearly, EU efforts to avert global biodiversity loss by 2020, as required by Target 6 of the 2020 Biodiversity Strategy, have failed to meet their objective. There’s no time left for political disengagement and lack of commitment: the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy must be the tool to make the change needed to reverse biodiversity loss, also by securing adequate financial resources and adopting necessary new legislation.

The 2020 Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Farm Animals
Position Paper

In 1962, the six founding Member States of the European Economic Community vowed to restore Europe’s capacity to feed itself through the creation of the Common Agricultural Policy (“CAP”). Very quickly, the CAP was successful in achieving food security, so much so that as early as the 1970s farmers started over producing food.

Although the CAP has undergone several reforms aiming to adapt the agricultural support systems to past and current challenges, these reforms have failed to deliver results in transitioning to a more sustainable agriculture and away from intensive production methods. Quite the opposite, the CAP has in fact incentivised the intensification of agriculture across Europe. The predominant business model has become
that of the so-called ‘factory farms,’ where extreme confinement of animals is the norm, entailing excessive use of antibiotics, environmental pollution and degraded labour conditions for workers along the production
chain.

Such an orientation in policy stands in sharp contrast with the overwhelming commitment of EU citizens towards farm animal welfare and the societal demand for a CAP more effective in delivering on farm animal welfare objectives.

A Strategy to Reduce and Replace Live Animal Transport: Towards a Meat and Carcasses Only Trade

Farm Animals
Report

This report builds on the 2019 call by the European Parliament echoed by the European Commission, to formulate a strategy to shift to meat and carcasses as well as the semen and embryos trade. This trade is already a reality and should be systematically promoted and implemented for animal health and welfare, economics and environmental reasons. To this end, this report highlights potential policy, structural
and financial initiatives that, by negating the drivers of live trade, should be taken into account in developing a strategy to shift to a meat and carcasses-only trade.

The detrimental impact of the absence of animal welfare provisions in Euro-Med FTAs

Trade & Animal Welfare
Policy Briefing

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.

Magazine October 2019

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around non-animal approaches in science, this edition of our Magazine features an interview with Susanna Ahlström, Senior Specialist at the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, an update on the international trade in wild caught elephants, and more.

Magazine July 2019

Political Advocacy
Magazine

In this post EU elections special, we ask will the European elections bring the changes that animals need? This edition of our Magazine features interviews with five newly elected MEPs who share their priorities.

Stunning / Killing of Pigs with High Concentrations of CO2

Farm Animals
Position Paper

The position of Eurogroup for Animals is that - in the spirit of Recital 6 of the Slaughter Regulation (1099/2009/EC) - the stunning of pigs with high concentrations of CO2 should be phased out as quickly as possible. Therefore, research and development resources should be urgently devoted to finding a painless and non-aversive alternative to stunning with high concentrations of CO2.

The European Commission, the EU Member States and the pig industry must invest the necessary funding, energy and commitment to developing one or more alternative stunning methods that either induce instantaneous unconsciousness or that, if the process is gradual, are non-aversive.

European Public Perceptions of Fish Welfare

Aquatic Animals
Factsheet

Facts and figures on European public perceptions of fish welfare, based on research carried out by ComRes on behalf of Eurogroup for Animals and Compassion in World Farming between 30th April and 8th May 2018 using internet polling. 9,047 adults across the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Czechia responded.

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Method-of-Production Labelling: The Way Forward to Sustainable Trade

Trade & Animal Welfare
Policy Briefing

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.

Animal Welfare, Trade and Sustainable Development Goals

Trade & Animal Welfare
Report

Animal welfare is an important moral concern in its own right and an inherent element of sustainability. On the one hand, industrial animal agriculture not only has low welfare standards but also puts several of the SDGs out of reach, including those related to smallholder livelihoods, food security, biodiversity, the environment and climate change. On the other hand, improving the welfare of working animals can contribute positively to several SDGs. Using trade policy to impact animal welfare is thus crucial to achieve the SDGs.

Magazine March 2019

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around the effects of the Common Agricultural Policy on animal welfare, this edition of our Magazine features an interview with Janusz Wojciechowski, European Court of Auditors, how we plan to bulletproof the internet against illegal puppy dealers, and more.

Annual Report 2018

Political Advocacy
Annual Report

Summary of Eurogroup for Animals' activity in 2018.

Guide to good animal welfare practice for the keeping, care, training and use of horses

Equines
Guidelines

Horses are kept for a variety of purposes, such as sport, racing, pleasure, tourism, breeding, therapy,
and meat production. The regulatory provisions on the keeping and care of horses differ between
Member States. Only a few have adopted specific legislation on the protection of horses. This guide is addressed to every individual, both professional and non-professional, who owns one or more horses, has horses in their possession or in any other way is engaged in the keeping, care, training and use of horses.

Optimising Layer Hen Welfare in Cage-Free Systems

Farm Animals
Report

While the transition away from caged to cage-free systems is a positive step for the welfare of laying hens,
the design and management of cage-free housing have an important impact on animal welfare and need to
be taken into account when managing the transition. The main aim of this document is to highlight aspects
of cage-free egg production that require special attention to protect animal welfare, and gives some recommendations that can be useful for policy makers and industry stakeholders for maximising the welfare of laying hens in cage-free systems.

Magazine October 2018

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around ending the modern tragedy of cages, this edition of our Magazine features interviews with Keith Taylor (Greens, EFA), David Martin (S&D) and John Flack (ECR), news on how we are improving the lives of broiler chickens in the EU, and more.

Looking Beneath the Surface: Fish Welfare in European Aquaculture

Aquatic Animals
Report

This report provides an overview of the extent to which fish welfare might be impacted within the aquaculture industry, by describing the main processes of fish farming and their associated welfare implications. The report then outlines how these welfare issues can be addressed, by considering the current regulatory framework in relation to the welfare of farmed fish, including a critique of the Commission’s 2017 report and recommendations. Finally, this report sets out some recommendations for formal remedial action. Eurogroup for Animals believes that swift action is vital if fish are to be protected from further harm; application of the recommendations in this report would significantly improve the welfare of fish in the aquaculture industry.

Magazine July 2018

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around legal protection for companion animals, this edition of our Magazine features an interview with Dr. Ulrich Herzog, Austrian Chief Veterinary Officer and more.

EU-Indonesia Trade Negotiations

Trade & Animal Welfare
Policy Briefing

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.

Magazine April 2018

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around the importance of animal welfare in EU trade policy, this edition of our Magazine features an interview with Herman Koeter, how we can coexist with large carnivores in Europe, and more.

Annual Report 2017

Political Advocacy
Annual Report

Summary of Eurogroup for Animals' activity in 2017.

Magazine January 2018

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around the EU platform on animal welfare, this edition of our Magazine features an interview with MEP Peter Jahr, an update on our campaign against fur farming, and more.

Magazine October 2017

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around fish, this edition of our Magazine features an interview with MEP Jeppe Kofod, our efforts to end the use of wild animals in cirucses, and more.

Magazine July 2017

Political Advocacy
Magazine

Themed around why we need to phase out experiments on primates, this edition of our Magazine features an update on our End Pig Pain campaign and more.