A collective of organisations, including Compassion in World Farming, WSPA and Ben & Jerry’s, have joined forces in calling for a new law on cow welfare, using the recently launched European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI).  Under the ECI, Europeans have the power to propose new legislation on a specific issue if they gain one million signatures of support from around the EU.

The proposed EU Directive on Dairy Cow Welfare calls for common, specific and enforceable standards across Europe, including daily access to shelter and comfortable resting areas, a nutritious diet and fresh drinking water and a reduction in painful bovine diseases.

Once the petition has collected one million signatures, the initiative will be passed to the European Commission, who will consider whether to propose legislation in response to the concerns raised.

This article is taken from ‘Making Tracks’, a newsletter from the UK’s Green MEPs about their work on animal rights. To receive a copy by email or post please email jeanlambert@greenmeps.org.uk or you can download a PDF copy of this newsletter.

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A collective of organisations, including Compassion in World Farming, WSPA and Ben & Jerry’s, have joined forces in calling for new rules on cow welfare, using the recently launched European Citizen’s Initiative [1].  Under the ECI, Europeans are given the power to propose new legislation on a specific issue if they gain the support of one million signatures from around the EU [1].

The proposed EU Directive on Dairy Cow welfare calls for common, specific and enforceable standards across Europe as for laying hens, calves, pigs and chickens reared for meat, including:

– Daily access to grazing and shelter against extreme weather, as well as clean and comfortable resting areas with soft bedding such as straw
– Access to fresh, clean drinking water and a daily diet which provides sufficient energy and nutrients
– ‘Improvement’ programmes for the reduction of lameness, mastitis and infertility

Once the petition has collected one million signatures, the initiative will be passed to the European Commission, who will consider whether to propose legislation in response to the concerns raised.

Jean said: “I welcome the Happy Cows campaign, which looks to improve the current law as well as address the failure to provide for the specific needs of dairy cows.  These animals are being pushed to increase yields with the result that mastitis, lameness and infertility are increasing. The EU proclaims it follows high standards of animal welfare in its farming practices, but we need to be sure that this applies to all animals.  I wish the Happy Cows campaign every success as it looks to collect one million signatures and would urge all Europeans to sign up to the petition.”

Notes to Editor

To sign the petition, visit: http://www.happycows.eu/en/sign

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