European Union Veterinary Policy and Animal Welfare
Key EU Concepts and Institutions
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, its values, and the well-being of its citizens. Key EU institutions include the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, European Commission, Court of Justice, and Court of Auditors.
Community Law
Community law has four key characteristics: autonomy, direct application, primacy, and direct effect. It is comprised of treaties, legislative acts, conventional acts, and general principles of law.
Community Policies Relevant to Veterinary Medicine
Several EU policies impact veterinary medicine, including:
- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Focuses on ensuring productive and sustainable agricultural production, fair living standards for farmers, market stability, secure supply, and reasonable prices.
- Animal Health Policy and Consumer Protection: Prioritizes food safety, public health, and consumer protection.
Basic Principles of the European Economic Community (EEC)
The EEC is founded on the principles of free movement of goods, establishment and services, labor, and capital.
Animal Identification and Information Systems
The EU is developing systems to improve animal identification and information sharing:
- ANIMO: Facilitates information exchange between competent authorities, including central and local authorities and Border Inspection Posts.
- SHIFT: A computerized network for veterinary import procedures.
- TRACES: An information system integrating ANIMO and SHIFT under the Commission’s supervision.
Animal Welfare
Animal welfare refers to the state of complete physical and mental health where an animal is in harmony with its environment. The Five Freedoms outline ideal welfare conditions:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
- Freedom from fear and distress
- Freedom to express normal behavior