The European Commission has commissioned an evaluation of EU Policy on Animal Welfare (EUPAW) with reference to farm animals, experimental animals, pet animals and wild animals which are kept in captivity or submitted to a treatment which is controlled by humans.

Stakeholders have been requested to complete an on-line survey to assist us with the evaluation. The survey will remain open and online until Friday 31st July 2010.

Throughout the past decade, the European Union has achieved various historical milestones in animal welfare legislation. It has banned the cruel trade in seal products and brought about an end to the import of dog and cat fur. It has outlawed the use of individual stalls and tethering for pregnant sows and prohibited the import of wild-caught birds. 

An overview of EU animal welfare policy is available at:  http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/index_en.htm.