Document type : news item from the Fondation Droit Animal, Ethique et Sciences
Author: Nicolas Bureau
Preview: On Tuesday September 17, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced thenomination of Olivér Várhelyi as Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. On paper, this would seem to be a turning point for the European Union. For the first time, animal welfare features in the title of a portfolio, and some commentators have welcomed it as the confirmation of the growing importance of animal welfare within European policy-making. The creation of this post also responds to a long-standing demand from NGOs, who have been calling on the Commission to assign clear responsibility for this issue. That said, we shouldn't be too quick to celebrate, since the move could be little more than a matter of presentation, reflecting an internal reorganization within departments. We should remember that the creation of a title in no way replaces the concrete action on animal welfare that has long been awaited.
A surprising choice of candidate
Olivér Várhelyi is a Hungarian diplomat. Trained as a lawyer, he began his career at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before joining Hungary's Permanent Representation to the EU, where he played a key role in the accession negotiations in 2004. A European Commissioner since 2019, he previously had responsibility for Neighbourhood and Enlargement policy. Is his appointment to this new post motivated by the desire to raise the profile of animal welfare issues? A close friend of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Várhelyi is a surprising choice for this subject area. Moreover, in the past he has often favored his own country's interests over those of the Union, going against the guiding principles of his role. His nomination is therefore a controversial one among members of the European Parliament. However, in order to officially take office, he will need to be approved by the Parliament.
High expectations for an ambitious mandate
Ursula von der Leyen has set Várhelyi several major objectives, including the completion of the revision of the animal welfare legislation by 2026 and the transition to cage-free systems. The new Commissioner will also have to coordinate closely with Christophe Hansen, the nominee for the Agriculture portfolio, in order to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of European Agriculture. These recommendations aim to modernize farming practices while improving the sustainability of the food chain (animal welfare labeling, promotion of plant proteins, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to prioritize high animal welfare standards...). The Commissioner will also be required to work closely with his counterparts responsible for Fisheries, Trade and the Environment. His mandate will be all the more complex as the expected reforms, such as the increased use of biocontrols and the simplification of environmental standards, are taking place against a backdrop of high expectations and debate within the European institutions.
