Role, importance and overview of Council of Europe animal welfare legislation : Role, importance and overview of Council of Europe animal welfare legislation Birte Broberg
Senior Veterinary Officer
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration
Council of Europe animal welfare legislation Overview of presentation : Council of Europe animal welfare legislation Overview of presentation
Short about Council of Europe
Activities in the field of animal welfare in general
Short presentation of the conventions concerning
Transport of animals
Farm animals
Pet animals
Council of Europe : Council of Europe It is quite distinct from the European Union (EU)
However, since the beginning of 1986 the European flag represent both the Council of Europe and the European Union
Council of Europe : Council of Europe founded in 1949
a political intergovernmental organisation with permanent headquarters in Strasbourg
Groups together 46 countries and has applications from two more countries
Has granted observer status to 5 more countries
Council of Europe : Council of Europe
The Council of Europe was set up to:
Defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law
Develop continent-wide agreements to standardise member countries’ social and legal practices
Promote awareness of a European identity based on shared values and cutting across different cultures
Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare : Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare
In the 1960’es the Council of Europe responded to the growing concerns of European citizens in the area of animal welfare, and the elaboration of conventions on the protection of animals in different situations was initiated
The first progress was aimed at a better protection of animals during international transport
Thus the conventions elaborated by the Council of Europe became the first international legal instruments laying down animal welfare based principles for transport of animals, the slaughter of animals, for their use as farm animals, for experimental purposes and as pets
Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare : Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare
European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport (1968) – a revised Convention was opened for signature in November 2003
European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes (1976) – a Protocol of amendment was opened for signature in 1992, but has not yet entered into force
European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter (1979)
European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (1986)
European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (1987)
Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare : Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare
The conventions differ in design
The conventions on transport of animals, slaughter of animals, experimental animals and pet animals contain rather specific provisions – they may be supplemented by recommendations, codes of conduct and resolutions
The convention on animals kept for farming purposes has the form of a framework convention, which gives the guiding principles. Under this convention a Standing Committee has been established with the purpose of drawing up and adopting recommendations
Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare : Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare
The underlying aim of Council of Europe legislation in the field of animal welfare is to protect animals against pain and suffering and to provide conditions which take into account the physiological and behavioural needs of the animals
Contracting Parties must give legal effect to the conventions, and the recommendations should also be reflected in the national legislation of contracting parties
Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare : Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare
The European Union has adopted legislation in the field of animal welfare. This legislation cover transport of animals, slaughter and killing of animals, animals kept for farming purposes with specific provisions for pigs, calves and egg-laying hens and experimental animals
The EU-legislation do to a large extend mirror the Council of Europe conventions and recommendations
Also the newly elaborated OIE guidelines in the area of animal welfare are influenced by the conventions and recommendations
Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare : Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare
Time does not permit a full presentation of all the conventions
Therefore the following will be an overview of the conventions on:
Transport of animals
Animals kept for farming purposes
Pet animals
Transport of animals European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (revised) : Transport of animals European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (revised)
Background:
Recommendation 1289 (1996) on animal welfare and livestock transport, in which the Parliamentary Assembly
expressed worry about many reports on the ill treatment of animals during international transport and on suffering caused to animals due to unnecessary waiting times at border crossings
recommended that the Committee of Ministers should ask Parties to the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport, in co-operation with the Commission of the EU to improve as a matter of urgency the conditions for the international transport of livestock
Transport of animals European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (revised) : Transport of animals European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (revised)
Scope of the revised Convention
The Convention applies – with a few exceptions - to the international transport of all vertebrate animals
By ”international transport” is meant any movement from one country to another, excluding journeys < 50 km and movements between member States of the European Community
However, each Party shall endeavour to apply relevant provisions in this Convention to animals being transported within its territory
Transport of animals European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (revised) : Transport of animals European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (revised)
Main areas of improvement
Provisions concerning the planning of the journey
Identifies the responsibility of people involved in all stages of transport of animals
Gives responsibility of Parties in relation to control and implementation
Encourages to mutual assistance and information
Introduces a system of authorisation of transporters
Introduces a system of training
Strengthens the definition of fitness of animals in relation to highly pregnant animals
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Scope:
The Convention applies to the keeping, care and housing of animals, in particular animals in modern intensive stock-farming systems. By animals is meant animals kept for the production of food, wool, skin or fur or for other farming purposes.
(scope will be slightly amended when the protocol of amendment enters into force)
The general principles, the underlying idea:
Is to avoid any unnecessary suffering or injury and to secure conditions that shall be in conformity with physiological and ethological needs of the individual animals and in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge.
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes Provisions on the implementation of the convention
Provides for a Standing Committee with the following tasks to be set up:
elaboration and adoption of Recommendations containing detailed provisions for the different species of farm animals. These provisions have to be based on scientific knowledge and practical experience.
follow developments in scientific research and new methods in animal husbandry
may express an advisory opinion on any question concerning the protection of animals at the request of a Contracting Party
Desirable that there should be an advisory body in each Contracting State
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
The Standing Committee:
Members
Countries that have ratified the Convention
Observers with a right to participate
Countries that have not yet ratified the Convention
Observers that may be invited
International organisations representing
Research
Animal production / breeding
Animal welfare
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
The Standing Committee has adopted recommendations on
Pigs – adopted in 2004 (revised version)
Cattle – adopted in 1988, appendix on calves in 1993
Sheep – adopted in 1992
Goats – adopted in 1992
Domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) – adopted in 1995
Ratites (Ostriches, Emus and Rheas) – adopted in1997
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Fur animals – adopted in 1999 (revised version)
Domestic geese – adopted in 1999
Domestic ducks – adopted in 1999
Muscovy ducks and hybrids of Muscovy and domestic ducks – adopted in 1999
Turkeys – adopted in 2001
Fish – adopted in 2005
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
The Standing Committee is currently discussing
A revised recommendation concerning cattle
A recommendation concerning rabbits
Appendices to the recommendation concerning farmed fish
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Contents of a recommendation – extracts of provisions:
Preamble
Bearing in mind that the environment and management have to fulfill the animals’ biological needs rather than trying to adapt the animals to the environment by procedures such as mutilations
Biological characteristics
General provisions
When considering husbandry practices, the biological characteristics of the species should be borne in mind
No animal taken from the wild shall be kept for farming purposes / only be kept for farming purposes if they are kept in enclosures that are similar in quality to their natural habitat
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Stockmanship and inspection
Animals shall not be used for public spectacles or demonstrations if such use is likely to be detrimental to their welfare, including health
Staff: sufficient number, competence and training
Appropriate careful handling from an early age to establish a positive relationship between man and animal
Inspection, frequency, which signs / behaviour to look for, and action to be taken
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Enclosures, buildings and equipment
Encouragement to test new methods of husbandry and new design of accommodation etc.
When designing, constructing and maintaining accommodation different factors (not cause injury, limit risk of disease, allow easy inspection etc.) and the possibility to express various behaviours have to be taken into consideration
Requirements for floors, equipment for feeding and watering etc.
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes Management
Factors that have to be taken into consideration when deciding on space allowance and size of groups
Indoor environment and an alarm system if the welfare of the animals depend on an automatic ventilation system
In free range systems protection from adverse weather conditions, and minimize the risk of attack from predators
Noise and light levels, and light regime
Routine use of drugs to compensate for poor hygienic conditions or management practices or to mask signs of poor welfare shall not be allowed
Handling, e.g. during catching
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Changes of genotype
In breeding programmes, at least as much attention shall be paid to criteria conductive to the improvement of the species' welfare, including health, as to production criteria
Changes of phenotype
Mutilations – with certain exceptions - shall be generally prohibited, and that measures shall be taken to avoid the need for such procedures. Those who carry out mutilations shall be properly trained
“mutilation” means a procedure carried out other than for therapeutic purposes and resulting in damage to or loss of a sensitive part of the body or alteration of bone structure
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Emergency killing
States that if an animal is ill or injured to such an extent that treatment is no longer feasible and transport would cause additional suffering, the animal must be killed on the farm
This must be done without causing undue pain, agitation or other forms of distress and without delay by an experienced person
The killing methods used shall either
Cause immediate loss of consciousness and death or
Rapidly render the animal insensible to pain and distress, until death supervenes or
Cause death of an animal, which is anaesthetised or effectively stunned
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Recommendation concerning pigs
Tethering prohibited as a husbandry system
Material for investigating and manipulating (hay, maize chaff, grass, peat,earth, wood, bark)
Boar pens at least 6 m2, however large boars should have 7.5 m2
Dry sows shall be group housed
Dry sows shall have bulky or high fibre food to reduce the sensation of hunger and provide for the need to chew
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Recommendation concerning pigs - extracts
During the perinatal and suckling periods loos housing systems should be aimed at
Weaning age not less than 28 days, however 7 days earlier if moved to all-in all-out systems
Mixing of weaned pigs should be minimised
Provisions on mutilations (reduction of piglets’ corner teeth, tail docking, castration, nose ringing)
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes Recommendation concerning fur animals – extracts
Appendices with special provisions for
Mink
Polecat, ferret, fitch
Foxes
Coypu, nutria
Chinchilla
Methods for killing
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes Recommendations concerning sheep / goats – extracts
Sheep dogs shall be given proper
training
Electro-immobilisation shall not be used
Adult sheep of wool breeds and goats kept for fibre production must be shorn at least once per year by a competent operator.
Provisions for fencing. Barbed wire should not be used
Any cases of foot rot in sheep must be treated immediately
All sheep and goats should be removed from any land which is in danger of being flooded
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Recommendation concerning ratites – extracts
Topics to be included in the
training of ratite farmers
Technical details for the
catching and handling of
ratites
Dust bathing facilities
Adult ostriches shall have access to natural grazing
Guidelines for max group size and min space in buildings and paddocks for ostriches, emus and rheas
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Recommendation concerning geese, ducks, Muscovy ducks – extracts
The floor shall include an area covered
with an appropriate bedding material
where all geese / ducks can rest
simultaneously
Feathers, including down shall not be plucked from live birds
Applicable to geese and Muscovy ducks: Countries allowing foie gras production shall encourage research on its welfare aspects and on alternative methods which do not include gavage. Until alternative methods are available, the production shall be carried out only where it is current practice and in accordance with domestic law
Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes : Farm animals European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
Recommendation concerning farmed fish – extracts
Fish shall be starved in order to reduce metabolism and excretion of waste products before certain management procedures, transport, slaughter or for therapeutic reasons
Provisions for parameters affecting water quality (oxygen, ammonia, CO2, pH, temperature, salinity, water flow)
CO2 shall not be used except when large numbers of fish have to be killed
Severing of gills or gill arches without prior stunning shall not be allowed
Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals : Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals Scope
Animals sharing man’s companionship and in particular living in his household
Animals intended for this purpose
Animals kept to breed animals for this purpose
Stray animals and first generation of animals born of stray animals
Basic principle
Nobody shall cause a pet animal unnecessary pain, suffering or distress
Nobody shall abandon o pet animal
Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals : Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals Contains provisions concerning:
Keeping
Breeding
Age limit on acquisition
Training
Trading, commercial breeding and boarding, animal sanctuaries
Advertising, entertainment, exhibitions, competitions and similar events
Surgical operations
Killing
Supplementary measures for stray animals
Exceptions for capture, keeping and killing
Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals : Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals Provisions, a few examples
Surgical operations for the purpose of modifying the appearance of a pet animal shall be prohibited, in particular:
The docking of tails
The cropping of ears
Devocalisation
Declawing and defanging
Operations in which the animal will or is likely to experience severe pain shall be carried out under anaesthesia
Only a veterinarian or another competent person shall kill a pet animal except in an emergency
Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals : Pet animals European Convention for the protection of pet animals
Three resolutions have been elaborated:
resolution on the keeping of wild animals as pet animals (1995)
Resolution on the breeding of pet animals (1995)
Resolution on surgical operations in pet animals (1995)
Information on Council of Europe : Information on Council of Europe
For information on Council of Europe in general:
www.coe.int
For information on Council of Europe activities in the field of animal welfare:
www.coe.int/animalwelfare