Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

This spring, the European Parliament will be discussing the future responsibilities of the European Community in relation to the protection and welfare of animals.  This relates to the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, a document endorsed by the Parliament and European Union countries (Member States), which sets out a 5-year term of actions that are aimed at improving standards in the welfare and protection of animals in the European Union and beyond.

Following the inauguration of the Lisbon Treaty in 2010, animals are recognised as sentient beings and their welfare, acknowledged as an ethical and moral issue that the European Community should uphold (Article 13 of the EC Treaty).

The Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals will come to fruition in 2011, following a public consultation, but current proposals for its content include the following:

1. The need to establish a common understanding of ‘animal welfare’, and how the delivery of good or adequate animal welfare can be achieved by referring to the ‘Five Principles’ (‘Free Freedoms’) adopted by the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE).  To establish a European animal welfare law.

2. To be applicable to all animals (including those used for food production, housed in laboratories, in zoos and circuses, used for work, in sporting and hunting activities and those kept as pets).

3. To establish a European Network of Reference Centres to facilitate a greater understanding of animals welfare amongst Member State governments, agents and industry.

4. To ensure all establishments that display wild animals to the public for 7 days or more, commonly known as zoos, must comply with the requirements of the European Zoo Directive, which requires a commitment to conservation and education.

Much of these initial decisions have been taken following the promotion of the Born Free report (written on behalf of ENDCAP*) entitled, ‘Animal Welfare Excellence in Europe’.  This identified, amongst other things, a disturbing lack of knowledge, understanding and commonality of interpretation between Member States and relevant authorities on fundamental animal welfare issues, which is believed to be undermining their ability to effectively implement relevant legislation.  The Born Free Foundation has identified this to be the main reason why so many animals in zoos across Europe are being kept in sub-standard conditions. 

The Travelife Animal Attraction Handbook, established by the Federation of Tour Operators, is already leading the way and improving welfare standards across the world.  Much like the Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, it reaffirms the long-standing commitment by the travel industry to improve animal welfare standards worldwide.  The guidelines can be viewed at http://www.fto.co.uk/responsible-tourism/sustainability-guidelines/ 

When approved, the Action Plan for 2011-2015 would clearly articulate the actions necessary over the next 5 years to make a more harmonised and more compassionate approach a reality.  Follow the progress of the Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals at www.bornfree.org.uk

*European network to END the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity, founded by Born Free