The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to take clear action to improve the welfare conditions of animals throughout the course of its current mandate, according to Eurogroup for Animals. Voting overwhelmingly in favour of Marit Paulsen's report on the evaluation and assessment of the animal welfare action plan 2006-2010, MEPs signalled that they would like to see measures put in place to develop, implement and enforce animal welfare legislation.

Eurogroup welcomes the strong support of MEPs for actions aimed at improving animal well-being in Europe. Parliamentarians' awareness of animal welfare and their willingness to send a strong message to the European Commission urging it to put animal welfare at the heart of its policy-making is a major step forward. The continued commitment of MEPs also mirrors the fact that the protection and welfare of animals is enshrined in Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty which recently entered into force.

Animal welfare must be seen as a central element of a sustainable future for Europe and a renewed animal welfare action plan is essential to show the benefits good animal welfare can have on animal health, human health, quality agriculture and on rural economies, says Eurogroup.

Sonja Van Tichelen, Eurogroup's Director, said: "The adoption of this Report by the European Parliament shows that its members are in touch with the concerns of Europe's citizens The majority with which it was adopted also sends a clear message to the European Commission that it must not only listen to these concerns but act. Animal welfare must be central to all future European legislation and the Commission must also look at all currently enacted legislation and improve its monitoring and enforcement. Today marks a major step forward and we, at Eurogroup for Animals, will continue to ensure that animal welfare remains central to European decision making."

Following the adoption of this report, Eurogroup will continue to work with the European Parliament to urge the Commission to produce a new Animal Welfare Action Plan as soon as possible and to ensure that it contains adequate measures to ensure all current EU law affecting animal welfare is enforced in all member states.