The Institute in Brussels for the promotion of animal welfare in Europe

On the 12^th and 13^th of June 2012 the international conference "Enforcement of European animal welfare related legislation", was held in Brussels at the headquarters of the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the European Union. The event was organised by Vier Pfoten International and Eurogroup for Animals, in collaboration with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, the German Juridical Society for Animal Welfare Law (DJGT), Stiftung für das Tier im Recht, the Free University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Istituto G. Caporale, Teramo (ICT).

The debate chiefly addressed issues concerning the new European Strategy 2012-2015 on animal welfare, which objective is to tackle the deficiencies inherent to relevant Community legislation enforcement through synergic actions aiming to enhance the verification system of animal welfare standards for livestock production through the use of indicators. It also aims to promote training and communication as key instruments to ensure the harmonization of official controls.

The occasion offered ample opportunities for all stakeholders to openly and transparently confront with each other in order to identify shared strategic and sustainable solutions to major animal welfare problems. The main stakeholders involved in the debates were European Commission officials, representatives of National Competent Authorities, practitioners and researchers of the legal veterinary sector as well as major international protectionist associations.

Experts from the G. Caporale Institute presented the various activities sustaining the new EU strategy 2012-2015 by illustrating the new informational systems developed for the canine registration in the regions of Molise and Sicily, capable of real time communication with other databases to ensure the traceability of each and every movement, the correctness of trade and the availability of pet epidemiological and health information. Strong interest was expressed on training, information and dissemination programs offered by ICT within projects financed by the European Commission to ensure quality and efficiency of Veterinary Services of Member and Candidate States, as well as Third parties, in full harmony with the objectives of the new Community strategy on animal welfare.