Memorandum by Compassion in World Farming
The following aspects of the EU Reform Treaty
have the potential to have a beneficial impact on standards of
animal welfare:
ARTICLE ON
WELFARE
In 1997, a Protocol on the Protection and Welfare
of Animals was annexed by the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty
establishing the European Community (the EC Treaty). The Protocol
is legally binding as the EC Treaty stipulates that "The
Protocols annexed to this Treaty... shall form an integral part
thereof".
The Protocol is important in two respects: (i)
it recognises animals as "sentient beings": its preamble
states "Desiring to ensure improved protection and respect
for the welfare of animals as sentient beings"; and (ii)
it requires the Community and its Member States, in formulating
and implementing the Community's policies on agriculture, transport,
the internal market and research, to pay "full regard to
the welfare requirements of animals" (emphasis added).
The Reform Treaty has incorporated the provisions
of the Protocol into the body of the Treaty as Article 13 of the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Compassion in
World Farming (CIWF) welcomes this. We believe that the inclusion
of these matters in the main text of the Treaty will give greater
weight to the recognition of animals as sentient beings and to
the requirement for the Community and the Member States to pay
full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in certain
specified policy areas.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WILL HAVE
CO-DECISION
POWERS ON
AGRICULTURE AND
THE BUDGET
FOR AGRICULTURE
The European Parliament has for many years tended
to be sympathetic on animal welfare. Its influence on the welfare
of farm animals has, however, been limited because under the present
Treaty the Parliament only gives an Opinion on agricultural matters
(referred to as the consultation procedure).
Under the Reform Treaty, however, most decisions
on agricultural matters will be taken under the co-decision procedure
which gives the Parliament almost equal powers with the Council.
In addition, the Parliament will play an equal part with the Council
in determining the budget for agriculture.
CIWF welcomes the increased powers that the
European Parliament will have as regards agriculture and the budget
for agriculture as the Parliament has traditionally been more
helpful on animal welfare than the Council.
December 2007
| 
