December 21, 2020

European Council approves conclusions for EU animal welfare label

The European Council has approved conclusions for an EU-wide animal welfare label, highlighting the overarching objective of improving animal welfare for as many food producing animals as possible.

With the approved conclusions, the council invites the European Commission to submit a proposal on an EU-wide animal welfare label for food produced under animal welfare standards higher than those in EU legislation.

A common EU label on animal welfare would increase credibility and transparency in EU markets and would enable consumers to make more informed choices. It would also help reward producers who comply with those standards.

European ministers  also supported consumer demands to easily recognise food produced under stronger animal welfare standards and, through the conclusions, called for specific criteria to be taken into account when developing an EU-wide label.

In addition, ministers stressed the need to go beyond current EU legal requirements on animal welfare, to gradually include all livestock species in the label covering their entire lifetime - including transport and slaughter - and ensure a smooth interplay with existing labels.

- European Council / Council of the European Union