ADAS has extensive experience with policy advice and evaluation at a UK level, but a recent project has brought us into the international arena as Heleen van de Weerd reports.
ADAS consultants and their consultancy partners have recently published a report presenting the findings of an evaluation of the EU policy on animal welfare (EUPAW). ADAS has extensive experience with policy advice and evaluation at a UK level, but this project reinforces our work in the European arena. The evaluation was commissioned by the Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) of the European Commission and took a year to complete.
The report found that EU animal welfare legislation has improved the welfare of many of Europe’s farm and experimental animals, but that more could be achieved with stronger and more consistent enforcement of existing rules. Another main finding was that EU legislation to protect animals has, in general, helped to reduce competitive distortions in the internal market caused by differences in national standards. However, in certain areas further action on enforcement and harmonisation is required.
The project evaluated the four types of activities that the EU employs to develop and apply animal welfare policy: legislation, research, communications and international initiatives. This project took ADAS’ expertise beyond the usual scope of farm animal welfare, as it included the evaluation of the policy for four groups of animals:
• Farm animals (several farm animal Directives, Regulations on slaughter and transport);
• Experimental animals (the Experimental Animals Directive);
• Companion animals (no EU legislation at the moment, but there is increasing discussion on whether there should be some);
• Wild animals kept in captivity (Zoo Directive).
The analysis results were based on interviews with 89 stakeholders and policy makers; an online stakeholder consultation that yielded more than 9000 responses; visits to twelve selected Member States to interview national policy makers and a review of relevant documents and data.
Other areas of the policy that were evaluated were EU funding for research and scientific advice on animal welfare, communication to stakeholders and citizens, international activities and financial instruments available for animal welfare policy. Furthermore, interactions between animal welfare and other EU policies (e.g. on the environment) were evaluated.
The report produced a set of recommendations for the EU’s future policy on animal welfare. These recommendations are now being used by DG SANCO in preparing its future strategy on animal welfare. The final report can be found on the project website at: www.eupaw.eu
For further information, please contact Heleen van de Weerd on 01623 870157 or email Heleen.vandeweerd@adas.co.uk