DG SANTE will host the 13^th meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare. The meeting, which starts from 2pm tomorrow until 16 June will provide an opportunity to update the Platform members of the ongoing work of the Commission concerning the revision of the EU animal welfare acquis by 2023, as announced in the Farm to Fork Strategy. In this context, participants will be updated on the latest state of play of the revision and the work performed by the six thematic subgroups of the Platform, established in March 2022 to support the revision. Experts from the voluntary initiative on equid and companion animal welfare will share their views to help the Commission consider legal provisions for these animals. The agenda of the meeting also includes the presentations of four EFSA scientific opinions, on the welfare of laying hens and broilers on farm; on ducks, geese and quails; on calves and on dairy cows, requested by the Commission in the context of the legislative review to update scientific knowledge.

Among other initiatives set out by the Commission relevant for animal welfare and the sustainability of food production, the meeting will see the presentation of the "Overview report on the protection of the welfare of laying hens at all stages of production", the trade dimension in the context of the revision of animal welfare legislation and the EU Coordinated control action on illegal trade of cats and dogs.

Furthermore, the Platform members will be informed of the European Court of Auditors' report "Transport of live animals in the EU: challenges and opportunities"

As with previous editions, the meeting will allow members the discussion on the challenges to be addressed in the future animal welfare legislation with the reactions from Member States, NGOs, professional organisations, and independent experts.

The meeting will be web-streamed (from 14:00 CET on 15 June & from 9:30 CET on 16 June).

More information:

• Agenda
• Webstreaming 15 June
• Webstreaming 16 June
• Hashtag: #EU4AnimalWelfare