European parliament urges more control regarding animal welfare

More effective controls and penalties are needed to further improve animal welfare, and this requires sufficient financial resources in the EU budget, according to the European parliament.

According to the European parliament, measures against the use of harmful antibiotics in animal feed have been successful over the last few years. The parliament welcomes the significant decline since antibiotics as growth promoters have been banned. However, the European Commission and member states are being asked for a further responsible approach to antibiotic resistance in animals.

The European parliament claims that the EU Action Plan on Animal Welfare 2006-2010 has been implemented with success. In a resolution adopted by the Parliament, further improvements are proposed however, including more controls and more effective penalties. In addition, the European Commission is being asked to produce a proposal for EU legislation on animal welfare before the end of 2014.

The European parliament also calls for a European network for animal welfare. "A high level of welfare, from breeding to slaughter, can improve the product safety and quality, which in turn benefits all EU consumers," the European parliament concluded.