The European Convention for the protection of animals for slaughter was created to ensure that animals are spared suffering, pain fear and distress for both the benefit of the animal and to enhance the quality of the meat produced.

The Convention (ETS No. 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.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may, upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, invite any non‑member State to accede thereto. Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect six months after the date of its deposit.