Welfare group concerned over EU sow stall compliance
Eurogroup for Animals said the ban, which was introduced on 1 January 2013, had already “improved the lives of millions of animals across EU”. However, it added that figures released by the European Commission in December had suggested that only 16 of the 27 EU member states would be compliant with the new legislation.
“Eleven other member states, despite the generous 12-year phase-out period they had been given to comply with the legislation, still do not guarantee minimal legal requirements for the protection of sows and gilts,” said a Eurogroup statement.
The organisation said it would continue to monitor the situation and encourage member states to ensure their farmers were compliant.
The European Commission is expected to launch infringement procedures against EU member states that are not compliant with the new laws, with details of inspections to be announced at a stakeholder meeting on 28 January.
