To put animal welfare back at the heart of French breeding, each farm must, from January 1, 2022, have a dedicated referent. According to the decree published on Wednesday, December 29 in the Official Journal, the designated person must, in certain cases, follow specific training.
In a press release, the Ministry of Agriculture provided some details, indicating that “all breeding of domestic animals (production, companionship, equines, in particular) and wild animals tamed or held in captivity” are affected by the need to appoint an “animal welfare referent”.
Press release | As of January 1, 2022, all breeding of domestic animals (production, companion animals, equines) and tamed or captive wild animals will have to appoint a referent in charge of animal welfare https: // t .co / JIyXKZQGn6
– Ministry of Agriculture and Food (@Agri_Gouv) December 29, 2021
This role can be taken on by the farm manager himself but can also be assigned to “a person he designates from among his staff”.
The training obligation, on the other hand, only applies to poultry and pig farms. According to the ministry, the referents appointed within these operations “will have six months from January 1, 2022 to begin the training course, and will have eighteen months to complete it”.
Knowing that certain courses “taken previously may be recognized as part of the training course” and that, in other sectors (bovines, sheep, etc.), training in animal welfare may also be followed, but on the basis of the volunteering.
Reacting to this new decree, the Minister of Agriculture, Julien Denormandie, presented it as a response addressed to “those who would like to cast shame on an entire profession in defiance of practical realities”. He believes that by complying with these measures, “the world of breeding shows us once again that it is fully engaged in the transitions”.