Great importance is attached to animal welfare in Europe. Humane production processes in agriculture are a key prerequisite in obtaining public acceptance for the Common Agricultural Policy. To enhance animal welfare standards within the European Union, the German Presidency will step up activities regarding implementation of the Animal Welfare Action Plan.
At the forefront are the ban on imports of dog and cat fur and the amendment of the Directive on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. With regard to the labelling of humanely produced meat products, the German Presidency will stage an Animal Welfare Day in 2007. The Presidency also intends to conclude the negotiations on the Directive concerning the protection of broiler chickens.
Maintaining the high level of BSE prevention measures is of particular importance to Germany’s EU Presidency. This is the stance it will take during the negotiations on the pending Commission proposal on the amendment of the Regulation on health requirements for animal byproducts.
A further key issue will be implementation of the roadmap for the Animal Health Strategy 2007 – 2013. Also, the German Presidency intends to reach agreement on certain hormones in veterinary medicine and to speed up the negotiations on the new rules on maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products.
With regard to plant protection and plant health, Germany’s EU Presidency will work towards greater harmonisation and greater protection levels. At the forefront of its activities will be the implementation of the thematic strategy on sustainable use of pesticides. This primarily involves the revision of the Plant Protection Products Directive and the framework for action on sustainable use of pesticides.
