Target: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Goal: Guarantee adequate spending on animal welfare and enforce mandatory standards for the treatment of farm animals.
The recent proposal for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by the European Commission includes some positive developments for animal welfare. However, these advances are overshadowed by alarming omissions that could perpetuate intensive farming practices and undermine animal welfare. Notably, there is no dedicated budget for animal welfare measures or mandatory welfare conditions linked to coupled payments for livestock, which raises concerns about an ongoing commitment to ethical farming standards.
Specific provisions that could benefit animal welfare—such as legally supporting higher-welfare farming practices and promoting organic livestock systems—are present but lack enforcement and funding. The proposed CAP emphasizes sustainability and animal health, yet the mere mention of animal welfare in the proposal just five times ill reflects the significant impact of CAP on farmed animals throughout the EU. Disturbingly, the allocation for animal welfare remains inadequate, especially when compared to the considerable increases in defense and security budgets, which receive markedly more priority.
To ensure that animal welfare is not merely an afterthought in agricultural policy, it is vital that the European Parliament and Council rectify these oversights. A commitment to required animal welfare standards, meaningful stakeholder inclusion, and adequate funding for welfare measures is essential for the protection of farmed animals in the EU.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President von der Leyen,
The recent proposal for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy shows a concerning lack of commitment to animal welfare, chiefly due to the absence of a dedicated budget and the exclusion of mandatory welfare conditions for coupled payments. Such critical oversights risk fostering environments where intensive farming practices persist, adversely affecting the welfare of countless animals. The proposal’s scant references to animal welfare signal an inadequate recognition of the issues at hand, especially when the welfare of farmed animals is a priority for many European citizens.
Furthermore, while some aspects of the proposal suggest progress, such as support for organic farming practices and the transition to more humane systems, these elements lack the necessary enforcement mechanisms. This absence could lead to differential standards across Member States, allowing some to fully embrace animal welfare while others lag behind without accountability. It is unacceptable that vital protections for animals may depend on geographic location, undermining the shared values of ethical treatment and welfare for all farmed animals within the European Union.
To address these concerns and align agricultural policies with animal welfare goals, it is crucial to guarantee minimum spending on animal welfare measures and to enforce mandatory welfare conditions in the CAP. The opportunity and responsibility lie with the European Parliament and Council to correct these deficiencies to ensure ethical farming practices are prioritized over merely economic interests.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
