Shoppers will be able to choose pro-animal welfare products displayed on supermarket shelves if a European Commission proposal to establish an EU-wide animal welfare label goes through.

Adopting its action programme on the protection and welfare of animals for 2006-2010, the EU executive said it foresees a classification system for animal welfare practices, to differentiate between minimum standards applied and cases where even higher standards are used.

The Commission wants to promote products obtained in line with certain animal welfare standards.

It says that a clear label identifying the level of welfare applied could prove an effective marketing tool and improve the information available to consumers in the EU and internationally when making purchase choices.

A recently published Eurobarometer survey, conducted across the 25 member states, showed that 74 per cent of consumers believe they can improve animal welfare through their shopping choices. Over half stated they would be willing to pay more for animal-welfare friendly products.

However, the poll also revealed that consumers found such products difficult to identify and an EU animal welfare label would help to address this problem.

In its action plan, the Commission identifies concrete measures to improve the protection and welfare of animals over the next five years.

Five main areas of action are set out. These include upgrading minimum standards, promoting research and alternative approaches to animal testing, introducing standardised animal welfare indicators, better informing animal handlers and the general public on animal welfare issues and supporting international initiatives for the protection of animals.