By Jess Halliday, 30-Oct-2009    -  The European Commission is mulling labelling to help consumers’ identify animal welfare-friendly products and incentivise producers to improve welfare. But campaigners say voluntary measures are not enough. Voluntary animal welfare schemes in the EU do exist, but there is no harmonised scheme and there is confusion amongst consumers about the standards they represent. Schemes in use include organic labelling, schemes run by various animal charities like the RSCA’s Freedom Food, retailer’s schemes, and other marks like the Red Tractor, which may only refer to minimum legal requirements.

The Commission has now outlined a series of options to help coordinate labelling, and is throwing the matter open to discussion between the European Council, Parliament, and other institutions. It is also suggesting that a European Network for Reference Centres be established. [ more...]