In 2006, the Commission adopted an
Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare
of Animals 2006-2010. This action plan
sets out concrete measures to be taken
over the coming years, and aims to ensure
that animal welfare is addressed in the
most effective manner possible, in all EU
sectors and through EU relations with third
countries.
EU animal health legislation is in constant
evolution. It has to keep up with the
latest developments in farming, science
and technology, and respond to modern
consumer demands. EU rules are, in
principle, in line with international standards
of the World Animal Health Organisation
(OIE). EU veterinary legislation must be
able to rise to the challenge of new and
emerging diseases, and fine-tune its
approach to persistent problems in this
field. The Community Animal Health
Policy 2007-2013 is now being carefully
shaped and developed. Among the driving
principles foreseen for the new policy are
greater disease prevention, risk-based
prioritisation and even better controls.
It will be a policy better adapted to an
enlarged EU of 27 Member States, which
operates in an increasingly complex global
market.