The 14 associations belonging to the “Coalition against #LiesInEtabel” * denounce that the Ministries of Health and Agricultural Policies “have decided to accelerate with the establishment of a voluntary national certification on animal welfare that betrays any inspiration of transparency and truth towards of consumers and that promotes a deception that will be to the detriment of animals, citizens, virtuous companies, and the environment “.
For this reason, the Associations forcefully and urgently ask the Ministers Stefano Patuanelli and Roberto Speranza to adopt the changes reported to prevent the entire operation from translating into a sensational example of #BugieInEtichetta: “In a moment in which all the fragility of the Italian and European economy, the Ministry of Health and that of Agricultural Policies are preparing to approve a decree establishing a misleading, incapable “National Quality System for Animal Welfare” (SQNBA), given the absence of levels of increasing quality, to favor a real transition towards production systems that move away from the typical conditions of intensive farming which, as we are unfortunately noting right now, are heavily dependent on massive imports of raw materials subject to strong fluctuations in prices and speculation, leveling down the entire Italian food production chain and forget ndosi of all the commitments undertaken for an adequate transition to forms that guarantee higher levels of animal welfare “.
The Associations have repeatedly requested the revision of the decree in some precise, essential points: the introduction of at least five different levels for each species clearly visible on the label, the cancellation of references to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the definition of animal welfare – important and necessary action but completely disconnected from this certification – the consideration of the ethological needs of the species, the density of animals and the conditions of transport among the criteria for determining animal welfare. Without these changes, labeling the products with the claim “animal welfare” will be a mere act of deception towards consumers, farmers who have already started a transition and veterinarians who will see all their real skills mortified to increase animal welfare. In particular, in order to ensure that voluntary labeling is truthful, correct and transparent, it is essential that the Ministries modify the decree:
By inserting different levels of certification for each species (such as for eggs), visible and comparable on the label, in order to provide the consumer with all the key information to be able to choose products in an informed manner and thus encourage the transition. This proposal had already been widely presented and documented by the coalition and has so far been completely neglected and deprived of due consideration. In fact, the new formulation of article 1 is empty and ineffective, limiting itself to a timid and pretentious reference to the consideration of the possibility of elaborating a system of well-being requirements possibly articulated in several levels. This wording effectively renders the provision ineffective, making it almost impossible to implement.
Eliminating from the text of the decree the references to the control and management of emissions into the environment, a topic of crucial importance but disconnected from animal welfare and which – inserted in this context – would make the label even more misleading towards the consumer.
By including the ethological needs of the species, the density of the animals and the transport conditions among the criteria for defining animal welfare.
Providing unannounced on-site controls, both for primary production operators and for food sector operators, at least once a year, and not every three years as required by the decree, in order to ensure the correct verification of the requirements that will allow to obtain SQNBA certification.
Given the central role of the Technical Committee in guaranteeing animal welfare by dismissing the various breeding regulations, the Associations renew their request to be part of it with three expert representatives indicated by civil society.
The coalition associations – Italian Animalists, Animal Law Italy, Animal Equality, CIWF Italia Onlus, Confconsumatori, ENPA, Be Animals, Greenpeace, LAV, LEIDAA, Legambiente, OIPA, The Good Lobby, WWF Italy – therefore invite Ministers Patuanelli and Speranza to urgently review the draft decree in the light of the fundamental points highlighted above. If this does not happen, the Coalition will continue its information activity to the citizens and will fight in all appropriate fora to make its requests heard.