Discipline: Law

Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°128 : Euthanasies d’animaux

Question: Mme Maud Petit (Val-de-Marne (4th district) - Les Démocrates). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

In response to a question from a Deputy on the abusive euthanasia practices of some shelters and pounds, the French government replies that it is closely monitoring the issue of animal euthanasia, and has set up the Observatoire de la protection des carnivores domestiques (OCAD) to improve the collection of information on abandonment and euthanasia figures. The oversight framework for the pet trade is designed to limit impulse buying and encourage responsible adoption. OCAD is continuing its work to refine the data and strengthen animal protection.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°2243 : Indicateur de bien-être animal sur les produits alimentaires d’origine animale 

Question: Mr Mickaël Bouloux (Ille-et-Vilaine (8th district) - Socialistes et apparentés). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

Assembly member Mickaël Bouloux, asks  the French Government about the introduction of animal welfare labelling for products of animal origin. The government favors a voluntary approach, and is working on a labelling trial inspired by that for eggs. The Anses is carrying out an expert appraisal to harmonize standards and ensure that they are appropriate. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°1077 : Interdiction de la vente de chiens et chats dans les animaleries

Question: M. Karine Lebon (Réunion (2nd district) - Gauche Démocrate et Républicaine). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

In response to a question from a Deputy on the fact that, although the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops has been illegal since January 2024, the absence of penalties hampers enforcement, the government notes that the temporary accommodation in pet shops of animals involved in online sales is tolerated. It is also working on strengthening the European regulations on the welfare and traceability of pets.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Les clauses-miroirs : quels moyens d’imposer certaines normes européennes de bien-être animal aux importations de produits agricoles et alimentaires ?

Loïc Evain, Marie-Hélène Le Henaff

Published in 2025

Report from the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty stating that the Conseil général de l'alimentation, de l'agriculture et des espaces ruraux (CGAAER) is overseeing analysis of the possibility of imposing European standards on agricultural imports, particularly in terms of animal welfare, and adapting international rules.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: All animals

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Developments in Chinese Attitudes to Animal Welfare

Clive J. C. Phillips

Published in 2025

Review describing the evolution of Chinese attitudes to animal welfare. Despite low levels of government commitment, interest in animal welfare science is growing in China, particularly the use of technology and remote sensing.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

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Instruction technique : Avenant – Modalités d’attribution et de mobilisation de la dotation budgétaire de trois millions d’euros dédiée à la stérilisation des chats errants par les collectivités territoriales et inscrite dans la loi de finances pour l’année 2024

Animal Welfare Office DGAL/SDSBEA

Published in 2025

Technical instruction extending the deadline for the spending of grants allocated in 2024 for the sterilization of stray and domestic cats by local authorities.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Felines

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°3207 : Abandons d’animaux, obligation d’identification et stérilisation

Question: Aurélien Dutremble (RN). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Question from an Assembly member to the French government on  overcrowding in shelters and the rise  in animal abandonment. The French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty lists the animal protection measures it is bringing into force through a dedicated plan. The plan aims to prevent abandonment, improve the management of stray animals and increase penalties for non-compliance, while bringing funding streams and interministerial cooperation to bear.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Translating Ethical Principles into Law, Regulations and Workable Animal Welfare Practices

David J. Mellor, Mette Uldahl

Published in 2025

Philosophical commentary on changes in animal welfare laws. These reflect the shift in ethical approaches from the prevention of abuse to a duty of care towards animals. A four-level legal framework and a four-step assessment process make it possible to integrate explicit ethical principles into animal welfare management.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002928/2024: Protection of hunting dogs in Spain

Question: Maria Ohisalo (Greens/EFA). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer to a question on whether future European legislation on dogs and cats will include measures to prevent the traditional abuse of and cruelty towards Spanish hunting dogs at the end of the hunting season.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Canine

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The fragmented landscape of animal welfare legislation in the European Union

Eurogroup for Animals

Published in 2025

Study of the extent to which animal welfare is taken into account in legislation in the 27 EU Member States. Many controversial practices persist in certain countries, such as cage farming, force-feeding and the absence of protection for certain species. EU-wide harmonization of legislation is essential to guarantee uniform high standards.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: All animals

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