Recent years have witnessed important advances in the animal welfare policies of the European Community (EC) and this is acknowledged by the EC Treaty's Protocol on Protection and Welfare of Animals which recognises animals as sentient beings. The Protocol requires that in formulating and implementing the Community's agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies, the Community and the Member States "shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals".

In this context, the Community legislation on slaughtering practices aims to minimise the pain and suffering of animals through the use of proper approved methods to stun and kill animals, based on scientific knowledge and practical experience. Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing sets out the Community rules and also provides that establishments in third countries which are to be approved to export to the Community must ensure that animals are killed under conditions offering guarantees of equivalent humane treatment, and meat must be accompanied by an attestation certifying this.

The protection of animals during transport was harmonised by the adoption of Council Directive 91/628/EEC, which was subsequently reinforced by several amendments. In 2005 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) 1/2005 revising the transport legislation and extending the scope of the requirements to operations relating to transport, such as the handling of animals at interim transfer points or the point of destination, such as slaughterhouses.

Reports from the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) have highlighted important deficiencies concerning the application of stunning and killing methods in slaughterhouses in both EU and third countries as well as concerning the enforcement of the transport legislation. Recent animal disease outbreaks (FMD, HPAI) have also highlighted limitations of certain techniques used in the context of killing animals for disease control purposes.

Competent authorities need to respond to public concern about the ways in which animals are killed. In response to a request from the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted two opinions on the welfare aspects of animal stunning and killing methods as well as two opinions on the welfare aspects of animal transport.

At international level, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted standards on animal welfare focusing on the slaughter of animals for human consumption, land and sea transport of animals, and the humane killing of animals for disease control purposes.

The Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 foresees as one of the main areas of action to support and initiate further international initiatives to raise awareness and create a greater consensus on animal welfare as well as to promote scientific partnership. Internationally agreed OIE animal welfare guidelines offer an ideal basis for discussion and consensus.

Training in the areas of animal welfare issues is considered an important tool in view of developing best practices and compliance with the EU and international standards.