Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The European Commission, in collaboration with the Health Federal Public Service and stakeholders in the sector (animal rights campaigners, veterinarians, farmers, scientists), is organizing the first international conference on animal welfare education during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The European Commission is organizing an international conference during the Belgian Presidency on Animal Welfare Education, to which Laurette Onkelinx, the Minister of Health responsible for animal welfare, has pledged her department’s support.

This initiative follows on from the campaign launched several years ago by the European Commission to raise awareness in schools of animal welfare issues, via the introduction of the “Farmland” teaching platform which familiarizes children with animals and their needs through play.
The Commission attaches a great deal of importance to this issue and numerous resources will be involved in organizing this event. As this is the first conference at international level, it should attract a great deal of media interest. The conference will be opened by the competent European Commissioner and Minister Laurette Onkelinx.
Speakers both from the Member States and from outside Europe will present projects which have already been carried out on animal welfare education. The conference will mark the start of a process to raise awareness of the importance of animal welfare through education. It also aims to facilitate access to educational programmes.

The winners of the drawing competition currently being organized by the Commission in the 27 Member States will be announced on the second day of the conference. The winners and their parents will be invited to Brussels.