(1)

Commission Decision 2017/C 31/12 (1) established an expert group named ‘Platform on Animal Welfare’ (‘the Platform’). The main tasks of the Platform are to assist the Commission with the development and exchange of actions contributing to the implementation of Union animal welfare legislation and the understanding of Union legislation and international standards on animal welfare, to facilitate the development and use of voluntary commitments on animal welfare, to encourage dialogue on Union matters related to animal welfare, and to promote exchanges of scientific and technical knowledge, innovations, and good animal welfare practices.

(2)

The period of application of Decision 2017/C 31/12 was initially set until 31 December 2019, and was extended first until 30 June 2021 by Commission Decision 2019/C 405/05 (2), and then prolonged until 30 June 2025 by Commission Decision 2021/C 185/04 (3).

(3)

The Platform has become a widely recognised forum for keeping an open dialogue on animal welfare and sharing good practices aimed at improving animal welfare. While the Platform originally focused on assisting the Commission with the implementation of Union animal welfare legislation, among other tasks, the recent and future development of new and updated Union legislation on animal welfare means there is a need to collect the Platform’s input and views, this being one of several lines of consultations by the Commission in accordance with Better Regulation principles.

(4)

Furthermore, in the context of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), the Platform can assist the Commission with the development of guidance documents, or the preparation of non-legislative acts, by providing input on technical and scientific issues as well as practical experience in this area.

(5)

Following the adoption by the Commission of the proposal for a Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats (5) and their traceability, the Platform should broaden its membership by including experts in the area of the welfare of dogs and cats. For this reason, the number of members of the Platform should be increased by three members representing general business and professional organisations having activities at Union level, concerning animals or animal products, and products intended for animals, with specific competence in the sector of breeding and trading of dogs and cats and two members representing organisations from civil society having activities at Union level in relation to animal welfare, specifically competent in the area of the welfare of dogs and cats. The selection of these new members should be carried out via a public call for applications, to be published on the Register of Commission expert groups (‘the Register of expert groups’) and on dedicated websites.

(6)

Decision 2017/C 31/12 does not specify whether third countries may be observers. It should be clarified that the competent authorities of third countries may be granted observer status in compliance with Commission Decision (2016)3301 (6). Furthermore, given the relevance of their technical expertise for the tasks of the Platform to promote the exchange of experiences and good practices, scientific knowledge and innovation related to animal welfare in the Union, the EU Reference Centres for Animal Welfare designated in accordance with Article 95(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 should participate in the Platform as observers for their respective designation period. The number of observers should, therefore, be increased to a maximum of 20 observers.

(7)

It is also appropriate that the period of application of Decision 2017/C 31/12 be extended by five years until 30 June 2030.

(8)

Decision 2017/C 31/12 should therefore be amended accordingly,

1.

in Article 4, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

2.

in Article 5, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:

3.

in Article 7, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

4.

in Article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:

5.

in Article 10, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

6.

Article 16 is replaced by the following: