Search results

International audience ; While participatory processes, such as a public enquiry or a public debate, are a major concern in town and country planning issues, there has been little progress in improving these processes, of which the deficiencies have, however, long been recognised. Somewhat disinterested, the legislator even seems to convey a rather pejorative view of participatory mechanisms, suggesting that they present an obstacle to economic and regulatory efficiency. At the same time, certain actors, both elected officials and citizens, are making full use of the participatory mechanisms and are trying to improve them. ; Si l'urbanisme est l'un des domaines privilégiés pour la mise en œuvre des processus participatifs, comme l'enquête publique ou le débat public, il n'a qu'assez peu évolué pour améliorer ces processus dont les insuffisances sont pourtant identifiées depuis longtemps par la doctrine. Assez indifférent, le législateur semble même véhiculer une image plutôt péjorative des mécanismes participatifs, les présentant comme un obstacle à l'efficacité économique et normative. Parallèlement, certains acteurs, élus et administrés vont pleinement s'approprier les outils de la participation et tenter de les faire évoluer.

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This paper aims to identify improvements and gaps in the specific EU regulations for organic farming and whether they promote higher welfare standards for dairy cattle compared to the "minimum standards" set up for conventional farming. Based on the available scientific evidence, we identified areas in the organic regulations where the welfare status of the animals is improved, but some limitations and gaps exist. ABSTRACT: Animal welfare is an emerging concept in EU law; with the advent of specific regulations intending to protect animals. The approach taken by European lawmakers is to provide "minimum standards" for conventional farming; argued by some as failing to adequately protect animals. In contrast, the EU organic farming regulations aim to "establish a sustainable management system for agriculture" and promote "high animal welfare standards". The first aim of this review was to identify key areas where there are clear improvements in quality of life for dairy cattle housed under the EU organic regulations when compared to the conventional EU regulations. Using the available scientific evidence, our second aim was to identify areas where the organic regulations fail to provide clear guidance in their pursuit to promote high standards of dairy cattle welfare. The greater emphasis placed on natural living conditions, the ban of some (but unfortunately not all) physical mutilations combined with clearer recommendations regarding housing conditions potentially position the organic dairy industry to achieve high standards of welfare. However, improvements in some sections are needed given that the regulations are often conveyed using vague language, provide exceptions or remain silent on some aspects. This review provides a critical reflection of some of these key areas related to on-farm aspects. To a lesser extent, post farm gate aspects are also discussed