Animal welfare
Article 46
Member States which include in their CAP Strategic Plans interventions related to animal welfare commitments referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 shall ensure that animal welfare commitments provide upgraded standards of production methods in at least one of the following areas: (a) water, feed, and animal care in accordance with the natural needs of animals; (b) housing conditions that improve the comfort of animals and their freedom of movement, such as increased space allowances, flooring surfaces, natural light, microclimate control, as well as housing conditions such as free farrowing or group housing, depending on the natural needs of animals; (c) conditions allowing for expression of natural behaviour, such as enrichment of living environment or late weaning; (d) outdoor access and grazing; (e) practices that increase animal robustness and longevity, including slower growing breeds; (f) practices to avoid mutilation or castration of animals. In specific cases when mutilation or castration of animals is deemed necessary, anaesthetics, analgesia and anti-inflammatory medication or immunocastration shall be used; (g) sanitary measures, preventing non-transmissible diseases, that do not require the use of medical substances such as vaccines, insecticides or anti-parasitic drugs.