Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas all Member States have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes (hereinafter called 'the Convention`); whereas the Community has also approved this Convention by Decision 78/923/EEC (4) and has deposited its instrument of approval;
Whereas the Community, as a contracting party, must give effect to the principles laid down in the Convention;
Whereas those principles include the provision of housing, food, water and care appropriate to the physiological and ethological needs of the animals, in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge;
Whereas it is also necessary for the Community to make further provision for the uniform application of the Convention and its recommendations and for specific rules concerning the application of this Directive;
Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 20 February 1987 on animal welfare policy (5) called on the Commission to make proposals for Community rules covering general aspects of the rearing of livestock;
Whereas Declaration No 24 annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty on European Union calls on the European institutions and the Member States, when drafting and implementing Community legislation, in particular on the common agricultural policy, to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals;
Whereas differences which may distort conditions of competition interfere with the smooth running of the organisation of the market in animals;
Whereas there is therefore a need to establish common minimum standards for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes in order to ensure rational development of production and to facilitate the organisation of the market in animals; whereas to that end it is appropriate to take account of animal welfare provisions already laid down in Community rules;
Whereas a comparative examination of animal welfare provisions applicable in the Community and in certain non-member countries together with an appraisal thereof should be undertaken with a view to determining the nature of future Community initiatives aimed at eliminating distortions of competition,