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The European Commission's activities on animal welfare start with the recognition that animals are sentient beings. The Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection is responsible for an important part of this work, setting standards for the welfare of animals on the farm, during transport and at slaughter.
The responsible Commissioner, David Byrne, has set out his preliminary views on Animal Welfare issues in a speech to the European Parliament Inter-Group on Animal Welfare in February 2000. He reviewed progress made since then in a speech to the EuroGroup for Animal Welfare on 30 November 2001.
The specific tasks and responsibilities of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection range from scientific advice and legislative and other initiatives to inspection and control to verify the correct implementation of legislation.
Directorate General for Environment is responsible for the protection of wild animals and the protection of animals used for experimental or scientific purposes.
Directorate General Enterprise is responsible for legislation on cosmetic products, including rules on the testing of cosmetic ingredients on animals.
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