PRESS INFORMATION
Brussels, 13 January 2009
International conference to explore trade opportunities of animal welfare
A Brussels conference will this month show what trade opportunities higher standards for
animal welfare have to offer. On 20 and 21 January the Conference on Global Trade and
Farm Animal Welfare will bring together anyone from farmers, retailers, politicians,
academics, international institutions and animal welfare organisations to present positive
experiences of inclusion of animal welfare in the trade environment. This event, which follows
a successful forum held in Brussels last April, is being organised by the Directorate-General
for External Trade and the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers of the European
Commission, together with Eurogroup for Animals, Royal Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, Compassion in World Farming, and World Society for the Protection of
Animals.
Scientists have linked higher standards for animal welfare to improved food safety and better
food. World-wide there is also a growing demand for high welfare products which farmers
and retailers can sell at an increased profit margin. The link between animal welfare and
development is increasingly being recognised by institutions such as the World Bank’s
International Finance Corporation and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture
Organisation. In other words, improving animal welfare has a positive impact on human
welfare too.
Adolfo Sansolini, trade policy advisor for RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming, Eurogroup
for Animals and WSPA, commented: “Farmers, retailers and governments have a lot to gain
by working together on animal welfare. Ethical considerations and business opportunities
don’t stop at the border.
“Higher standards for animal welfare are a chance to tap into a continuously growing market.
Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in how their food is being produced. Animal
welfare is no longer only a just cause, but also a trade opportunity that should not be
missed.”
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For more information, call Steven Blaakman, senior press officer at Eurogroup, on 0032
(0)27400823 or email him on s.blaakman@eurogroupforanimals.org. Outside office hours,
he can be reached on 0475731066.
In Australia: Carole de Fraga, Regional Representative, Compassion in World Farming
ciwf@alphalink.com.au (03) 9880 7342 or 0409 836 355.
Notes:
o
The European Union explicitly states in its Community Action Plan on the Protection and
Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 that the Commission wants to promote high animal welfare
standards in the EU and at the international level. This involves co-operating with developing
countries on creating production systems with higher standards for animal welfare, which
would help them to export to the union.
o
Australia has strong links with the EU. The EU is Australia’s largest single economic partner
and Australia’s largest partner in two way trade in goods and services. It is the largest
investor in Australia and the second largest destination for Australian investment overseas.
o
Australia and the EU cooperate significantly on issues of animal welfare and policy.
o
The Australian Government is committed to the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS)
which refers to Australia’s responsibility to animal welfare within Australia and internationally.
Australia is significantly engaged in external trade in animals and animal products. Australia
contributes to international benchmarking of animal welfare standards and develops its own
international policies involving animal welfare.
o
Conference on Global Trade and Farm Animal Welfare website:
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