COMMISSION DECISION

of 7 May 2021

amending Decision 2017/C 31/12 establishing the Commission Expert Group ‘Platform on Animal Welfare’

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2021/C 185/04)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Decision 2017/C 31/12 (1) established an expert group named ‘Platform on Animal Welfare’ (‘the Platform’). The main tasks of the Platform is to assist the Commission and help to hold regular dialogue on Union matters directly related to animal welfare such as enforcement of the legislation, exchanges of scientific knowledge, innovations and good animal welfare practices.

(2) The period of application of Decision 2017/C 31/12 was initially set until 31 December 2019 and was extended until 30 June 2021 by Commission Decision 2019/C 405/05 (2).

(3) Within four years of its functioning, the Platform has become a widely recognised forum for keeping an open dialogue on animal welfare, sharing good practices and undertaking non-legislative initiatives, with the commitment of Member States’ and relevant stakeholders across the Union, aimed to improve the welfare of animals.

(4) On 20 May 2020, the Commission adopted its communication on ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system’ (3). The Strategy includes animal welfare related actions, such as exploring options for an EU animal welfare label, working on issues related to the enforcement of the animal welfare legislation, or collecting views supporting the future revision of the animal welfare legislation. The Platform may play a significant role in shaping those actions.

(5) Furthermore, in the context of the Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), the Platform could also assist the Commission with the development of guidance documents or the preparation of non-legislative acts aimed at facilitating and harmonizing the implementation of animal welfare rules, by providing input on technical and scientific issues as well as practical experience in this area.

(6) The Platform should therefore continue its activities, with a renewed membership, to provide meaningful contributions in connection with the current Commission priorities in the field of animal welfare.

(7) It is therefore appropriate that the period of application of Decision 2017/C 31/12 should be extended by 4 years until 30 June 2025.

(8) Decision 2017/C 31/12 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article Article 16 of Decision 2017/C 31/12 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 16 Applicability This Decision shall apply until 30 June 2025.’

Done at Brussels, 7 May 2021. For the Commission Stella KYRIAKIDES Member of the Commission

(1) Commission Decision of 24 January 2017 establishing the Commission Expert Group ‘Platform on Animal Welfare’ (OJ C 31, 31.1.2017, p. 61).

(2) Commission Decision of 29 November 2019 amending Decision 2017/C 31/12 establishing the Commission Expert Group ‘Platform on Animal Welfare’ (OJ C 405, 2.12.2019, p. 5).

(3) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM(2020) 381 final).

(4) Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation) (OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, p. 1).