New stakeholder platform advances animal welfare
Consumer concern about animal farming practices and animal welfare has increased in recent years, prompting the EU to focus on improving how farm animals are treated and make efforts to instil confidence in society. The EU-funded project 'European animal welfare platform: Adding welfare quality to food' (EAWP) sought to support this vision. The project brought together many different stakeholders in the supply chain, namely producers, processors, retailers, animal welfare organisations and academic experts. Building on previous EU initiatives in the field, the team supported welfare assessment and improvement strategies, in line with research and development (R&D) priorities in the field. It identified key welfare issues in beef and dairy cattle, pigs, poultry and fish. The partners then produced a total of 58 strategic approach documents (SADs). Each SAD focuses on a specific welfare problem and documents the likely causes and consequences, the relevant legislation, and existing best practices. It also sets short and long-term goals for welfare and economic improvement as well as prioritising future R&D. Thus, many important recommendations emerged from the project and these were prioritised for each product group. The overall results were communicated via the project's website, as well as through press releases, newsletters and conference presentations. In effect, the project built a powerful platform to facilitate the exchange of resources and expertise on the topic. This will help ensure the better welfare of animals as well as creating a solid framework for achieving related objectives. Such an integrated approach will help address the needs of consumers and industry, thereby encouraging more sustainable and ethical European agriculture by improving the welfare of our farmed animals. Furthermore, it will support the development of an EU action plan on animal welfare and protection, positioning the bloc as a global leader in this respect. Also see http://www.animalwelfareplatform.eu/
