
The committees adopted an own-initiative report on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (2023/2010(INI)) which follows on the Commissionâs voluntary review of progress towards the SDGs, published earlier in May. However, the importance of animal welfare is not yet reflected in the report. The Commission notes in its review that more progress is needed on many SDGs, including SDG 2 âZero hungerâ, SDG 12 âResponsible consumption and productionâ and SDG 14 âLife below waterâ. These are also SDGs for which improved animal welfare have a particularly strong relationship.
For example, keeping animals outdoors, on land unsuitable to grow crops for human consumption, and with low stocking densities not only improves animal welfare but also avoids food-feed competition (i.e. the use of arable land to produce animal feed rather than crops for food). Improved animal welfare thus contributes towards reaching SDG 2 âZero hungerâ but also towards other SDGs. It will, when combined with more plant-based diets, reduce air and water pollution as well as deforestation (SDG 14 âLife below waterâ and SDG 15 âLife on landâ) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (SDG 13 âClimate actionâ). Although animal welfare is not explicitly mentioned in the SDGs, the current treatment of animals hinders the EU from achieving the SDGs.
The Parliamentâs report highlights that key challenges persist for sustainable development. It points to, for example, SDG 2 âZero hungerâ, to which improved animal welfare and dietary change towards more plant-based diets are preconditions.
Ahead of the plenary vote in June, Eurogroup for Animals urges the European Parliament to highlight that the recognition of the interlinkages between animal welfare and SDGs will support the EU in reaching its sustainability goals.
Source: Eurogroupforanimals.org