A legally binding Protocol will be added to the Treaty of Rome recognizing that animals are sentient beings and requiring that their welfare needs are properly taken into account in the development of the Community's policies on agriculture, transport, the internal market and research.
"THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES, DESIRING to ensure improved protection and respect for the welfare of animals as sentient beings, HAVE AGREED upon the following provision which shall be annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community:
In formulating and implementing the Community's agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies, the Community and the Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage."
Commenting on the new protocol, The United Kingdom Animal Welfare Minister, Elliot Morley, said:
"This Government has made clear the importance it attaches to maintaining and developing high standards of animal welfare, and I welcome our success in negotiating this agreement. It represents a major advance in the collective thinking of the European Union.
"Adoption of the protocol is not an end in itself, but it confirms that animal welfare has a place on the long-term agenda of the Union. It will ensure that all relevant European legislation takes into account this Government's desire to see the highest possible standards of animal welfare."
Source: United Kingdom Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries news release, June 18, 1997.
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