Document type: answer from the European Commission to question E-004010/2025
Authors: Question: Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP), Maria Noichl (S&D), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Manuela Ripa (EPP), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D). Answer: Mr. Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission
Question: Ambition and scope of the upcoming revision of on-farm animal welfare legislation
The Commission has committed to revising the EU’s animal welfare legislation as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. Many species remain poorly covered by current rules, which are often too general, such as Directive 98/58/EC, and do not reflect scientific progress or the scale of societal concern.
The European Food Safety Authority scientific opinion of June 2025 entitled ‘Welfare of beef cattle’ confirms that existing legislation is outdated and not fit for purpose. Species-specific gaps coexist with older legislative acts that urgently require revision. Meanwhile, public expectations are high – repeated Eurobarometer surveys show that EU citizens want the EU to take stronger action on animal welfare and support meaningful reforms.
1. How does the Commission plan to ensure that the upcoming revision of on-farm animal welfare legislation will address species that are currently under-regulated, including beef cattle and aquatic animals?
2. How will the Commission replace or significantly update unfit, outdated legislative acts, in line with the latest peer-reviewed scientific evidence?
3. Can the Commission provide a clear and detailed timeline for the publication and adoption of the revised legislative proposals, including consultation, impact assessment and legislative drafting stages?
Answer: 1. Animal welfare is a key priority for this Commission, and the Commission is committed to a comprehensive approach that ensures that the EU maintains high standards in this area. The exact scope and content of the upcoming legislative proposal on on-farm animals remains yet to be decided, based on the outcome of broad stakeholder consultations and a thorough assessment of the economic, environmental and social impacts of different potential policy options.
2. The European Food Safety Authority has in recent years delivered a series of important scientific opinions on animal welfare. The revision of the EU animal welfare legislation will be based on this new scientific evidence, as well as on research projects, including the European partnership on animal health and welfare[1]. The revision will also take into account the socioeconomic impact on farmers and the agri-food chain, in order to arrive at well-balanced, evidence-based and future-proof solutions.
3. A public consultation has been conducted from September 19, 2025, until December 12, 2025[2] to gather the views of farmers, citizens, businesses, national and regional authorities, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties on the revision of EU legislation on animal welfare on farms. Preparatory actions for the impact assessment are also ongoing, including stakeholder interviews and targeted surveys, and will conclude in the first half of 2026[3].
[1] https://www.eupahw.eu/ (The Great War and the Great Depression: A Comparative Study of the Economic Impact of the First World War on the United States
[2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14671-On-farm-animal-welfare-for-certain-animals-modernisation-of-EU-legislation/public-consultation_en.
[3] For further information: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-welfare/evaluations-and-impact-assessment/revision-eu-animal-welfare-legislation_en
From the European Parliament website
