Translation of "Bien-être des animaux domestiques " (French → English) :

23. Observes that Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union has created a new legal situation under which, when formulating and implementing Union policy in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, transport, the internal market, research and technological development and space, the Union and Member States must, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage; considers that this article applies t ...[+++]o all livestock and animals in captivity, such as food-producing animals, pets, circus animals and animals in zoos or stray animals, whilst bearing in mind that differing characteristics and living conditions require differentiated treatment;

Meanwhile, a younger generation of – in many cases – better-educated people is giving increasing attention to the welfare of pets, farm animals and animals in their natural habitats, and animal testing is also becoming less of an obvious choice.

For wild animals and for species other than domestic Equidae or domestic animals of bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species where appropriate, the following documents shall accompany the animals:

‘livestock vessel’ means a vessel which is used or intended to be used for the carriage of domestic Equidae or domestic animals of bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species other than a roll-on-roll-off vessel, and other than a vessel carrying animals in moveable containers.

The products covered by a Directive may be placed on the market only if they do not endanger the safety of persons, domestic animals or goods.

Member States have the responsibility of ensuring the safety on their territory of persons, domestic animals and goods.