EU Farm Animal Welfare Concerns:

Beef, Dairy, Pork & Poultry Industries

The EU Council of Agriculture Ministers recently announced farm animal welfare as 1 of its 3 priorities. This is in response to ‘a near panic over mad-cow disease, popular resistance to genetically modified foods and rising concern about factory farming and animal welfare (which) have helped strip farming of its romantic rural image.’ (- the Economist, Oct 17/98).

This report examines this further and relates the issues to the Canadian industry. Key strategic considerations and recommendations are included.

The report was completed in June ’99 for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and AFAC. The report is intended to provide strategic insights – not scientific or statistical data and to:

• Increase the understanding of specific practices, which may become animal welfare concerns in The North American market.
  
  
• Create an awareness of potential concerns to domestic and international consumers; and
  
  
• Provide intelligence on anticipated WTO negotiating points.

To request a copy of this 18-page report email AFAC.