Document type: position paper byEurogroup for Animals
Author: Eurogroup for Animals
Excerpt in French (translation): Briefing Note on animal welfare the Irish Presidency of 2026
The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (July 1 to December 31, 2026) offers a significant opportunity to advance an ambitious and credible European agenda on animal welfare. Ireland has incorporated a “One Health, One Welfare ” approach into all key policy areas, thereby recognizing the links between human well-being, animal welfare environmental sustainability.
The official program of the Irish Presidency also identifies animal welfare a central element of discussions on the future of the livestock sector, emphasizing that policies must be based on scientific and technical evidence. This presents a significant opportunity to advance evidence-based animal welfare reforms, including the implementation of scientific recommendations, the improvement of animal transport standards, and support for livestock production systems that ensure better animal welfare through appropriate European policies and investment mechanisms.
At the same time, this puts Ireland in a strong position to lead a pragmatic yet ambitious reform agenda at the EU level.
As a major Member State in the livestock sector, Ireland has always prioritized food security, the viability of farmers, and the competitiveness and resilience of the livestock sector. The country is well-positioned to demonstrate that ambitious animal welfare reforms can coexist with resilient and competitive agricultural systems. […] Eurogroup for Animals calls on Ireland to focus on the issues outlined in this memorandum during its presidency:
1. Ensure a solid legislative foundation for the revision of EU rules on animal welfare on the farm
2. Fund the transition: align animal welfare the CAP and the MFF
3. Advancing the revision of the regulation on the transport of live animals
4. Integrating animal welfare food security and competitiveness issues
5. Ensuring consistency in animal welfare rules for dogs and cats
6. Identification and traceability of equines
7. Promoting innovation without the use of animals and ensuring policy coherence
8. Support discussions on banning the breeding of animals for fur production
9. Ensure policy coherence and the long-term sustainability of investments related to the implementation of animal welfare in Ukraine
10. Make progress toward establishing an EU positive list for companion animals.
Preview:
Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 July – 31 December 2026) presents an important opportunity to advance an ambitious and credible EU animal welfare agenda. Ireland has embedded a One Health, One Welfare approach across key policy areas, recognising the links between human wellbeing, animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
The official Irish Presidency Programme also identifies animal welfare as a central consideration in discussions on the future of the livestock sector, emphasising that policy should be grounded in scientific and technical evidence. This creates an important opportunity to advance evidence-based animal welfare reforms, including the implementation of scientific recommendations, improved animal transport standards, and support for higher welfare animal farming systems through appropriate EU policy and investment mechanisms.
At the same time, placing Ireland in a strong position to lead a pragmatic but ambitious reform agenda at EU level.
As a major livestock-producing Member State, Ireland has consistently emphasised food security, farmer viability, competitiveness and livestock sector resilience. The country is well placed to demonstrate that ambitious welfare reforms can coexist with resilient and competitive farming systems. […] Eurogroup for Animals calls on Ireland to focus on the issues listed in this memorandum during its Presidency:
1. Ensuring a strong legislative basis for the EU On-Farm animal welfare revision
2. Financing the transition: aligning animal welfare with CAP and the MFF
3. Advancing the revision of the live transport regulation
4. Positioning animal welfare within food security and competitiveness
5. Ensuring consistency of welfare rules for dogs and cats
6. Equine identification and traceability
7. Championing animal-free innovation and ensuring policy coherence
8. Supporting discussions on the fur farming ban
9. Ensure policy coherence and long-term investment viability of animal welfare implementation in Ukraine
10. Progressing towards an EU Positive List for pets
