WSPA welcomes EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council support for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare

March 23, 2009

BRUSSELS/LONDON: The campaign to achieve global recognition for animal welfare achieved a major breakthrough today as the European Union formally announced its support for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. (Footnote 1) The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) applauds the Council for being the first regional forum to formally pledge its support for the Declaration.

The Council, made up of all EU Ministers of Agriculture, issued a Council Conclusion (Footnote 2) that states that it:

• DEEMS it important to achieve world-wide acceptance of animal welfare as an issue of common concern and importance;
• ENCOURAGES the Commission to continue, as announced in its Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, "to support and initiate further international initiatives to raise awareness and create a greater consensus on animal welfare, including engaging with Developing Countries to explore trade opportunities based on welfare friendly production systems";
• INVITES the Member States and the Commission, within their respective competencies, to support, in principle, the UDAW initiative in the relevant international fora.

WSPA has welcomed the Council Conclusion as a major step forward towards securing support for a Declaration at the UN General Assembly.

“In effect, this conclusion represents 27 strong voices in support of animal welfare,” said Justine Holmes on behalf of WSPA, “It also provides a basis for increased partnership with both governments that already support the Declaration, as well as those governments still considering it. With today’s announcement, the EU has acknowledged the strong links that animal welfare has with other established global issues such as climate change, food security, human health and poverty reduction.”

The Council Conclusion is also in line with the EU’s commitment, outlined in the EU Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 (Footnote 3), to engage with initiatives looking to raise awareness of animal welfare internationally.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals is the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organizations. Through partnership with hundreds of member societies we strive to create a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends. We bring about change at both grassroots and governmental levels, to benefit animals. We support and develop high profile campaigns, scientifically-backed projects and innovative education initiatives. With our member societies, governments and international agencies, we also provide relief to animals in communities affected by disasters.

Notes to Editors:
1. Read more about the WSPA campaign for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at http://www.wspa-international.org/wspaswork/udaw/
2. The Council Conclusion can be found online at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/106877.pdf
3. EU Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010  http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/actionplan/actionplan_en.htm

For further information, interviews and background documents please contact:
Namrata Chowdhary, International Head of Media, WSPA
+44 20 7587 5002 namrata@wspa-international.org