Ethical impact on EU animal welfare policies
the example of Article 13
On December 1th 2009 the Lisbon Treaty entered into force, and through Article 13, the recognition of animals as sentient being was given a more visible part in the very core of EU law. This was an effect of a political decision to commit to the issue, partly because of the will to further harmonize the EU market, but also due to increased societal concern for the wellbeing of animals. Over the last decades, ethical awareness is growing in many countries, one reason being new scientific discovery. This influences legislators and policy makers to take proper action, and in this way, ethics and science often work together as the very basis for the development of new legislation and policies. There is yet to be seen what the actual consequences of Article 13 will be, since the legal obligation remains the same and there are still some reservations in it. However, the increased visibility of animal welfare as an issue and the fact that it is today included in- and cohesive with many other policy areas, gives it weight and legitimacy as an EU agenda. Article 13 will probably be able to work as an anchor for new policy initiatives in animal welfare, and as a means to stress proper implementation of existing legislation. There are however future challenges ahead for those who work with promoting animal welfare, both in the EU and at other levels, because of the need to integrate it with economic growth and competitiveness. Keys to further success for EU animal welfare policies include increased collaboration with other areas in order to develop a common understanding and more cohesive goals, as well as having clear arguments and a solid scientific basis.