CIWF Statement:

It is clear from the photographs that these cattle are being kept in squalid, filthy, unhealthy and completely unacceptable conditions. The cattle in the pictures shown are standing in water contaminated with excrement. The matted nature of their coats shows that they are unable to keep clean and have clearly been in these conditions for some time.

Cattle need a comfortable, clean and well-drained area to lie down, receive adequate rest and remain healthy. The squalid conditions these cattle are being kept in plainly fail to meet basic welfare or hygiene standards as laid down by Council of Europe Convention and EU Directive which require that animals are prevented avoidable suffering and kept in conditions which avoid risks to their health.

It is clear beyond doubt that what is shown in these photographs does not comply with existing EU legislation, and consequently would impact Serbian accession to the EU. In the event of Serbia’s accession, these photographs could form the basis of a formal complaint to be made to the Legal Affairs Dept of the EU associated with animal welfare.

Phil Brooke

Welfare Development Manager – Compassion in World Farming

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes

Article 3

Member States shall make provision to ensure that the owners or keepers take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care and to ensure that those animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.

From the Annex:

Animals not kept in buildings

12. Animals not kept in buildings shall where necessary and possible be given protection from adverse weather conditions, predators and risks to their health.

Ref: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/1998/l_221/l_22119980808en00230027.pdf

Council of Europe Convention covering the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes state, amongst other things:

Article 9

1. Animals should be maintained in a clean condition.

2. Those parts of the accommodation with which the animals come into contact should be thoroughly cleansed, and where appropriate, disinfected, everytime the accommodation has been emptied and before new animals are brought in. While the accommodation is occupied by the animals, the interior surfaces and all equipment therein shall be kept satisfactorily clean.

Ref: http://www.coe.int/t/e/legal_affairs/legal_co-operation/biological_safety,_use_of_animals/Farming/Rec%20cattle%20E.asp#TopOfPage

 ————————————————————–

Mark

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/11/26/serbia-farm-animal-conditions-update-261110-formal-statement-on-conditions-now-provided-by-ciwf-uk/

Conditions OK according to (Serbian) state veterinary department:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/11/23/serbia-november-2010-conditions-ok-at-a-farm-according-to-serbian-veterinary-ministry-and-complaining-campaigners-dont-pressure-us/