The European Convention for the protection of animals for slaughter (1979; ETS 102) applies to the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning and slaughter of domestic solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry. Its provisions have been adapted and elaborated in a Recommendation and a Code of conduct which the Committee of Ministers adopted in 1991.

The Parties to Convention ETS 102 meet for Multilateral Consultations. These consultations aim at monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Convention and, if appropriate, proposing the revision or the extension of some of them depending on the evolution of the field concerned.

The Multilateral Consultations are prepared by a working party. Representatives of professional fields concerned as well as of animal protection associations are participating in the work as observers.