Animal category: Pigs

European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001516/2025: Compliance with the directive on the welfare of pigs

Question : Sebastian Everding (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA), Günther Sidl (S&D), David Cormand (Greens/EFA), Cristina Guarda (Greens/EFA), Anthony Smith (The Left), Maria Noichl (S&D), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Friedrich Pürner (NI), Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (Renew). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Replying to a question from a group of MEPs on the systematic docking of pig tails, which is widely practised in almost all Member States despite its ban since 1994, the European Commission asserts that its efforts to improve the implementation of this ban continue, via the mutual sharing of good practices, the evaluation of national action plans, and the examination of options for monitoring, including procedures to deal with non-compliance. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Porcines

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Implementation of the European directive on pig welfare: A comparative study of four member states

J. Kuenzler, C.S. Vogeler

Published in 2025

Comparative study showing disparities in the application of EU regulations on pig welfare. For example, Denmark and Germany adopt stricter standards than France and Spain, in line with their political and societal priorities.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Deck height did not affect behavioural measures of 'natural movements' and 'adequate ventilation' during 8 h and 23 h transport of weaner pigs

Cecilie Kobek-Kjeldager, Line D. Jensen, Leslie Foldager, Marianne Kaiser, Karen Thodberg, Mette S. Herskin

Published in 2025

Study evaluating the effect of different bridge heights on the behavior of weaned pigs transported over 8 to 23 hour trips. The results showed no significant impact of height on behavior, unlike other variables such as microclimatic conditions, vehicle speed or journey time, highlighting the complexity of interactions affecting welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Assemblée nationale : Réponse écrite à la question n°5528 : Prise en compte du bien-être animal

Question: Mr. Jean-Michel Brard (Loire-Atlantique (9th district) - Horizons & Indépendants). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

Answer to a question from a member of the French Assemblée Nationale who highlights the fact that in food product labelling the issue of animal welfare remains a secondary matter, despite the strong expectations of the public. In its reply, the government states that, for now, it favors a voluntary approach, with no specific labelilng requirements, and that it is supporting research into the best way of displaying information on farming methods.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Assemblée nationale : Réponse à la question n°2219 : Maltraitance animale dans certains abattoirs français

Question: Mr. Jean Laussucq (Paris (2nd constituency) - Ensemble pour la République). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Question from a French Deputy on acts of abuse in certain abattoirs.  In its answer, the government reminds the Deputy of the existence of a control and intervention system in abattoirs, stating that it remains vigilant over the application of the three key actions in operation since 2021 with regard to abattoirs: support, control, sanction.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Surgical castration of piglets - challenges and alternatives - a review

Zalewska Anna, Batorska Martyna, Więcek Justyna, Rekiel Anna, Sońta Marcin

Published in 2025

Summary of the issues surrounding the castration of pigs. The European Declaration of 2010 was intended to achieve a ban on the practice by 2018, but several Member States have expressed their disagreement. `The alternatives (immunocastration, whole-male rearing) are worrying for consumers and producers alike. Despite the progress that has been made, the total abandonment of castration may not occur, due to practical, economic and behavioral constraints.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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Assemblée nationale : réponse à la question n°4154 : Contrôle des conditions d’abattage des animaux dans les abattoirs

Question: Mr Karim Benbrahim (Loire-Atlantique (1st district) - Socialistes et apparentés). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Answer from the French Government to a question from a member of the National Assembly on abattoir monitoring and controls. The Ministry states that the work to control slaughtering conditions by government-appointed agents amounts to the equivalent of more than 1,200 full-time posts. Additionally, a national inspection force is brought in for complex cases, which can impose sanctions up to and including closure  in the event of serious failings.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Financements régionaux et transition de l'élevage : quels leviers pour des modèles plus durables ?

CIWF France, JimL

Published in 2025

Report on the uses to which funding from the EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) is put by certain French Regional authorities. The study, which focuses on capital and set-up grants, highlights the levers available regionally to support the transition to more sustainable forms of livestock farming that respect animal welfare.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Professional emotional neutrality and the role of background emotion work in the slaughterhouse

Marcel Sebastian

Published in 2025

Article analyzing how abattoir workers develop an emotional distance from the killing of animals through intense and often unconscious emotional work. It highlights the importance of background emotions in morally sensitive occupations, making an original contribution to the sociology of work and emotions.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Assemblée nationale : réponse à la question n°5909 : Transition vers un élevage hors-cage en France

Question: Mr Pouria Amirshahi (Paris (5th constituency) - Écologiste et Social). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Question from a Member of Parliament on support for farmers to achieve an effective  transition to cage-free farming in France. The government points out that cage-free farming is growing in France. It provides supporte for this process through assistance with capital expenditure and national coordination, while calling for harmonization at European level so that farms can remain competitive.  

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

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