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European Commission asks the public for proposals on animal welfare legislation

2021 m. July 21 d.

Following public comments on the lack of animal regulation in the European Union, the European Commission has decided to update EU animal welfare rules. This initiative aims to update EU animal welfare rules to increase the role of recent science-based analysis, broaden their scope and make them easier to enforce. The revision of EU legislation is planned by the end of 2023. The Commission is currently calling for comments and proposals on animal welfare. The consultation on the initial impact assessment on the revision of animal welfare legislation is open for comments from the public and social partners on the European Commission’s website until 24 August. Feedback will be taken into account for further development and fine tuning of the initiative. The Commission will summarize the input received in a synopsis report explaining how the input will be taken on board and, if applicable, why certain suggestions can't be taken up. Everyone can comment and give feedback on the announcement page for the initiative following the link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12950-Animal-welfare-revision-of-EU-legislation_en

New cases of African swine fever have been reported in Estonia and Slovakia

2021 m. July 16 d.

The State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS) informs that on 14th of July, 2021 ASF was detected in a commercial pig holding in Estonia (Harju County, Kiili Parish) where more than 1700 pigs are kept. According to the primary data, protection and monitoring zones that do not cover pig holdings have been identified. It was found that the nearest pig keeping place is 30 km from the focus of the disease. An epidemiological investigation is currently being carried out to determine the way the disease was introduced into that holding. The SFVS specialists report that this news is highly unexpected, since the last case of ASF in Estonian pig farms was recorded back only in 2017 and in the wild fauna (wild boars) in February 2019. Another case was found in Slovakia, Banská Bystrica. The focus of the disease was detected in a pig holding with more than 8000 pigs. All pigs have been killed to prevent the spread of the disease and an epidemiological investigation is currently being carried out. It is important to note that there is an active circulation of the virus in wild fauna in Slovakia, for as many as 1230 cases were detected this year. These outbreaks prove anew that the disease is in the wings and can strike anytime, thus all pig keepers should prioritize the implementation of biosecurity measures and comply with them on a routine basis. Once again, we call on pig farmers to be vigilant, to closely monitor the kept animals, to ensure that no unauthorized persons visit the pig keeping facilities and that farm pigs are separated from livestock grazing in pastures, also to feed pigs only with heat-treated feed. Visiting forests, harvesting berries or picking mushrooms also pose a significant risk for the ASF virus to be transmitted from nature to pig farms.

State Food and Veterinary Service made proposals to improve the Regulation on the protection of animals during transport

2021 m. July 15 d.

Vidmantas Paulauskas, Deputy Director of the State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS), discussed and brought forward some proposals to improve animal welfare and protection requirements when transporting during the online meeting with representatives of the European Parliament today. Attending the meeting, V. Paulauskas welcomed the European Parliament’s initiative to reduce the negative impact on the health of farm animals during their transportation and its aim of harmonizing transport requirements not only in the EU but also in non-EU countries. “Transportation causes stress for the animals, hence ensuring transport conditions that are safe and do not pose any risk to their health is one of our priorities,” V. Paulauskas said. The Deputy Director made proposals to the representatives of the European Parliament and confirmed the need to establish a unified road vehicle navigation system data monitoring process, which would enable a real time supervision and control of animals during transport on a regular basis. He also stressed the need to establish an efficient communication system between the competent authorities of non-EU countries in order to expeditiously address animal transport issues when necessary. Besides, V. Paulauskas highlighted the importance of extending the number of resting places for animals in non-EU countries. Lithuania also proposes to specify the control requirements for the transport of animals by vessels. These proposals from Lithuania and other countries will be further discussed in the European Parliament. It was noted at the meeting that sanctions for animal welfare violations have already been tightened in Lithuania and that the level of penalties has been significantly increased. Please be aware that according to the decision of Mantas Staškevičius, Director of the SFVS, controls on the transport of farm animals have now been tightened due to the high air temperature in the country and in the neighboring countries. Transporters unable to ensure adequate conditions for the transport of animals due to excessively high temperature shall not be issued with travel documents.

The Director of the State Food and Veterinary Service has formed an advisory group of experts on animal welfare

2021 m. July 13 d.

An advisory group of experts which will bring forward its proposals on animal welfare issues has been set up by order of Mantas Staškevičius, Director of State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS). According to M. Staškevičius, cooperation with animal welfare NGOs as well as public engagement has led to some positive results; however, certain problems and challenges remain. The SFVS Director explains: “In addition to the controls being strengthened, systematic solutions, more educational and advisory practice are necessary in order to achieve fundamental changes in the area of animal welfare. Evidently, the decisions and resources of a single institution do not suffice. I have therefore initiated an advisory group of experts to stimulate positive developments by a wider range of opinions, more knowledge and different experience brought together. The expert group will consist of the representatives not only from the SFVS and the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, but it will also include: representatives of the public organizations defending animal rights, such as the Public Institutions “Gyvūnų gerovės iniciatyvos” (Animal Welfare Initiatives), “Tušti narvai” (Empty Cages), “Lietuvos gyvūnų teisių apsaugos organizacija” (Lithuanian Organization for the Protection of Animal Rights) and others; members of the Lithuanian Kennel Club and the Lithuanian Felinology Association; specialists from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Chamber of Agriculture; scientists from the Veterinary Academy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences; representatives of veterinarians and small livestock veterinarians of Lithuania along with associations for the protection and welfare of animals. The group will seek to identify the reasons for certain problems and the factors that cause them, and will submit proposals for their solution; they will also propose legislative initiatives to strengthen the protection of pet animals in our country”. In the first half of this year, the SFVS received more than 700 notifications, of which more than half (469) were related to the welfare of pet animals.

Business interest is observed in the market of insects grown for food

2021 m. May 25 d.

The State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS) receives a number of inquiries about the growing activities of insects intended for human consumption. In America and Asian countries, the insects are used for food quite widely, while in the European Union (EU) they are regulated as novel food, and this new niche is gradually gaining ground in Lithuania as well. Currently, 10 growers of insects for food have already been approved in Lithuania, all of them are engaged in the growing and processing of house crickets. The most popular products offered in the market of our country are dried crickets with various spices and dried cricket flour, with the help of which the food products are enriched with proteins and fiber: oat bars, dried sausages, chocolate and others. The nutritional properties of insects and their simple growing encourage people to take up this sustainable and relatively new business in Lithuania. The insects are considered as a nutrition direction conserving land resources. This innovation in the food industry is also welcomed by the European Commission, which on 3 May of this year approved the first species of insect – yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) – fit for human consumption, and will soon include it in the EU List of Novel Foods. The use of insects in food production contributes to the promotion of the EU Green Deal and circular economy, as insects use extremely little water and feed while growing and emit significantly less CO2 than traditional livestock industries. For those who are interested in the business of insects intended for human consumption, the SFVS firstly advises to decide which one or more activities to undertake: the growing of insects for food and / or the production of insect products for human consumption. In order to register or obtain the approval for this activity, it is necessary to contact the SFVS territorial Department according to the location of the activity and directly or remotely, i. e. by e-mail or via the Integrated Food and Veterinary Information System (IMVIS) to submit the required documents. The SFVS also draws attention to the need to register an insect farm as a feed business operator while planning the insect growing activities for human consumption. When a company is registered as a feed business operator, it is allowed to be engaged in one or more activities, one of them, to raise animals for the food industry, therefore, this step is mandatory. It is also possible to voluntarily register insect swarms in the Farm Animal Register Information System (ŪGRIS). In order to facilitate the start of business for insect growers and processors, to systematise the currently existing legislation in regard to insects, the SFVS has prepared the guidelines for the insects grown in the Republic of Lithuania, intended for human consumpion and animal feed. These guidelines provide the most up-to-date information about the insect growing and processing requirements as well as the conditions for placing on the market. The growers of insects for food can find the above-mentioned guidelines and other relevant information on the SFVS website: https://vmvt.lt/maisto-sauga/maisto-produktai/gyvuninis-maistas/vabzdziai. The SFVS specialists provide advice/business consultations by e-mail: klausimai@vmvt.lt, by a freephone 8 800 40 403, by filling in the form on the website or by contacting SFVS Departments by the following phone numbers.

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2015 y. March 06 d.

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State food and veterinary service
State budgetary institution The Register of Legal Entities
code: 188601279

Address: Siesikų str. 19,
07170 Vilnius Lithuania
Tel. +370 5 240 4361
E-mail: info@vmvt.lt

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COMPETENT AUTHORITY AND RECOGNIZED BREED SOCIETIES

Competent authority

State Food and Veterinary Service
Address: Siesikų str. 19,
07170 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel. +370 5 240 4361
E-mail: info@vmvt.lt

Information concerning the implementation of Animal Breeding Regulation 2016/1012 in Lithuania:

The competent authority to receive the notifications referred to in Articles 12 and 64(6), and the information, requests or notifications referred to in Articles 48 and 49 is:

State Food and Veterinary Service
Address: Siesikų str. 19,
07170 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel. +370 5 240 4361
E-mail: info@vmvt.lt

List of breed societies maintaining breeding books for purebred breeding animals, and breeding operations maintaining breeding registers for hybrid breeding pigs approved in accordance with article 4 (3) and at least one breeding programme that has been approved in accordance with article 8 (3)as referred to in article 7 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2012 of:

Purebred breeding animals of the bovine species

Purebred breeding animals of the porcine species

Purebred breeding animals of the ovine species

Purebred breeding animals of the caprine species

Purebred breeding animals of the equine species

Breeding operations maintaining breeding registers for hybrid breeding pigs

Breed societies and breeding operations based in other EU Member States or Contracting States, which are carrying out officially notified breeding programmes in Lithuania for the porcine and equine species

Equestrian competitions and events falling under the derogation from the principle of non-discrimination laid down in Article 3 of Directive 90/428/EEC

Criteria for the distribution of funds for the safeguard, development and improvement of breeding (Directive 90/428/EEC)

Published:
2021-07-08

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