Five Freedoms

  • Freedom from hunger and thirst – access to fresh water and a diet for full health and vigour,
  • Freedom from discomfort – an appropriate environment with shelter and comfortable rest area,
  • Freedom from pain, injury and disease – prevention or rapid treatment,
  • Freedom to express normal behaviour – adequate space and facilities, company of the animal's own kind,
  • Freedom from fear and distress – conditions and treatment which avoid mental sufferings.

 

In-Force legislation

Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes

Report:  Report from the Commission of 19 December 2006 on the experience acquired on the implementation of Directive 98/58/EC on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes [COM(2006) 838 final

 

Inspections

Commission Decision 2006/778/EC of 14 November 2006 concerning minimum requirements for the collection of information during the inspections of production sites on which certain animals are kept for farming purposes

Commission Decision 2000/50/EC of 17 December 1999 concerning minimum requirements for the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming purposes

 

Enforcement

Overview Of Results Of A Series Of Missions To Evaluate Controls Of Animal Welfare On Farms In Seven Member States Carried Out Between June 2001 And June 2002

 

Farm Animal Welfare in third countries

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Animal Welfare Legislation on farmed animals in Third Countries and the Implications for the EU, 18 November 2002

 

Council of Europe

European Convention ETS 87 for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes

+ 3 recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee (T-AP) at its 37th meeting on 22 June 1999