Jeppe Kofod, vice president of the S&D Group and the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals strongly pushed for this as a priority. He says: ‘‘This really does open a lot of doors for animal welfare organizations across Europe. Now we have something with which to hold both the Commission and the member states to account. Now our joint efforts on harnessing globalization must also include dedicated commitments to ensuring animal welfare. Including animal welfare as a priority in EU trade policy is crucial in our efforts to ensure that no animal suffers needlessly on account of changing trade patterns, increased exports or other effects of globalization.’’
Reineke Hameleers, director of Eurogroup for Animals, said: “We welcome the recognition and priority given to animal welfare set out in the Commission Reflection Paper. This is a positive sign that the protection of animals has not been pushed down the EU agenda. Now we must continue efforts and look ahead to free trade agreements which are one of the best means the EU has to help positively develop and influence animal welfare abroad. Eurogroup for Animals would welcome further statements that support such an approach in the European trade agenda.”
The removal of tariffs, allocation of tariff rate quotas, and increased regulatory cooperation in animal products can pose a significant threat to European standards for animal welfare.
