It will bring together stakeholders and negotiators from both the EU and Australia to discuss the progress made so far in the negotiations, as well as to highlight the animal protection issues that are of greatest concern.

The trade negotiations between the EU and Australia are taking place during an ever-changing policy landscape with respect to the protection of animals, both farmed and wild.

For example, in the framework of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, the European Commission is currently working on the revision and expansion of scope of the EU’s existing animal welfare legislation. This will, for example, result in new welfare standards for species, such as cattle and sheep, for which there are currently no species-specific rules in EU law. The question is how the EU’s plans to raise the bar with regard to animal welfare standards may impact the negotiations?

Likewise, as part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2023, the Commission has also recently adopted its revised EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking, which also includes policy commitments relevant to the international trade policy agenda. Can this contribute to greater cooperation on tackling issues such as biodiversity loss and illegal wildlife trade?

For more information and to register to join this event either at the Parliament or online, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.be/e/roundtable-on-eu-australia-fta-negotiations-tickets-604812529557