The Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010

The Commission has been developing animal welfare legislation for over 30 years and has been at the forefront of initiatives to promote it internationally by its active participation in, and support for, initiatives of the Council of Europe and more recently the OIE.

Looking back the first Community legislation on farm animal welfare was adopted in 1974 and concerned the stunning of animals before slaughter. Respecting the basic five freedoms (freedom from discomfort, from hunger and thirst, from fear and distress, from pain, injury and disease and freedom to express natural behaviour) is a fundamental principle underlying measures to protect animal welfare and the EU has already taken various practical steps to secure real improvements in animal welfare.

In this context, the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, adopted by the European Commission on 23 January 2006, embodies the Commission's commitment to EU citizens, stakeholders, the European Parliament and the Council for a clear map of the Commission’s planned animal welfare initiatives for the coming years.

It also responds to the principles set out by the Protocol on Protection and Welfare of animals annexed to the EC Treaty by the Amsterdam Treaty. This Protocol recognises that animals are sentient beings and obliges the European Institutions to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals when formulating and implementing Community legislation.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010

Commission working document on a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 Strategic basis for the proposed actions

Commission Staff Working Document Impact Assessment of a Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010