Our objective is to protect and raise the
health status and condition of animals in the Community, in
particular food-producing animals, whilst permitting intra-Community
trade and imports of animals and animal products in accordance
with the appropriate health standards and international obligations.
Preventive health measures on intra-community trade and imports of:
The European Commission's activities in
this area start with the recognition that animals are sentient
beings. The general aim is to ensure that animals need not
endure avoidable pain or suffering and obliges the owner/keeper
of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements.
Satisfactory results in animal production depend to a large extent on
the use of domestic animals of high genetic quality. The Community's zootechnical legislation
aims at the promotion of free trade in breeding animals and their genetic material considering
the sustainability of breeding programs and preservation of genetic resources.
