Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
Thank you for the invitation by the Eurogroup for Animals to this important event.
Today provides a crucial chance for dialogue early in our mandate. We aim to outline our Commissions future actions on animal welfare.
The Strategic Dialogue on EU Agricultures future has moved beyond polarized debates, establishing trust as essential for progress, involving all key stakeholders.
The Commission is acting on this dialogues outcome, soon presenting a vision for agriculture and food, marking a step towards improved EU animal welfare.
Visions need operational plans. Effective actions require ongoing dialogue, respecting all stakeholders priorities in animal welfare.
This year should focus on solutions for EU animal welfare improvements.
Our farming system must be sustainable and meet diverse needs amidst geopolitical and competitive challenges, ensuring farmers provide necessary food.
The system must also align with citizens expectations for affordable, healthy, and environmentally-friendly food, reflecting farmers own work expectations.
Considering environmental, economic, and social issues is vital for modernizing animal welfare efforts.
Some EU rules are outdated, and progress must be reflected in rules influenced by science, technology, and ethics.
National rules exceeding EU minimum requirements have improved but also distorted the internal market.
A coordinated approach is essential for all Member States to progress together.
Properly designed policies with farmers can make high animal welfare standards beneficial rather than burdensome.
Animal welfare means healthier animals, high-quality food, and better meat. High standards are crucial for the livestock sectors reputation and internal market consistency.
Animal welfare addresses antimicrobial resistance threats. Farm antibiotics affect us, creating resistance, a responsibility also for human health.
33,000 EU citizens face such health threats annually. Measures must be balanced, meeting expectations while maintaining agri-food sector competitiveness.
As Commissioner, I am committed to modernizing EU animal welfare rules, involving all stakeholders for balanced, predictable reforms.
Transition periods should be species-specific and long enough for adaptation with financial support, maintaining EU farmers competitiveness.
The goal is rule consistency for operators.
The citizens initiative End the Cage Age was successful, and the Commission is implementing it, responding to citizens concerns.
This years dialogue should lead to legislative proposals next year.
Achieving high welfare standards requires well-calibrated approaches with transitions and support. Simplifying rules can lower burdens without compromising goals.
Harmonizing requirements simplifies for farmers and creates internal market consistency, achievable without legislation.
Equal conditions for non-EU producers are necessary.
Improving enforcement of existing welfare rules can change realities now, as shown by the Bulgaria-Turkey border tragedy.
Fairness requires robust rule enforcement, ensuring EU standards apply to all, including third countries.
Innovation in welfare rules can encourage investment in technologies reducing welfare costs, improving productivity and resource efficiency.
Focusing on outcomes offers flexibility for industry adaptation, optimizing economic resources.
Modernizing EU animal welfare rules is an opportunity to meet societal expectations, enhance competitiveness, and ensure sustainability.
A discussion with all parties is needed for future-proof, evidence-based solutions.
Today starts this dialogue for improved EU animal welfare.
Thank you.