Discipline: Law

Near and Dear? If animal welfare concepts do not apply to species at a great phylogenetic distance from humans, what concepts might serve as alternatives?

Arndt SS, van der Staay FJ, Goerlich VC.

Published in 2024

Synthesis examining four possible guiding principles for the treatment of animals, both sentient and non-sentient, in light of their capacity to experience emotions. In particular, it proposes using the concept of animal integrity, potentially complemented by that of ecosystem integrity, while retaining current concepts of animal welfare for sentient species.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Biodiversity, Consciousness, Cognitive processes, Evolutionary processes, Human-animal relationships, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations - Summary of public feedback received after adoption of the proposal

Council of the European Union

Published in 2024

Results of public consultation with over 5,000 responses following the proposal to update the European regulation on the transport of live animals in 2023. The majority of citizens support stricter measures, such as a ban on shipping and long-distance transport, and a shift towards transporting meat rather than live animals. Opinions differ between NGOs, which call for shorter journeys, and the farming industry, which is concerned about the proposed limitations.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

Keywords:Animal trade, Societal issues, Abuse, Stress, Transportation

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Public attitudes towards aquatic animal welfare

Eurogroup for Animals and CIWF

Published in 2024

Enquête citoyenne de CIWF et Eurogroup for Animals sur l’attitude des citoyens européens à l’égard du poisson et de sa consommation, ainsi que ses connaissances concernant les pratiques d’élevage.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Housing, Stress

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The Welfare of Dogs and Cats in the European Union: A Gap Analysis of the Current Legal Framework

Contalbrigo, L.; Normando, S.; Bassan, E.; Mutinelli, F.

Published in 2024

Analytical article raising the issue of pet welfare not covered by European legislation, such as ethical breeding, sales, transport and end-of-life care. It concludes that a transdisciplinary approach and better education in responsible pet ownership are essential to improve pet protection via a harmonized legal framework.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption, Castration, Euthanasia, End of life, Abuse, Living environment, One Welfare, Spaying, Aging, Animal trade

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Mémoire de thèse : Le Conseil National de l’Alimentation et ses missions en matière de bien-être animal, l’exemple du Comité National d’Éthique des Abattoirs

Maximilien Bailly

Published in 2024

Dissertation examining the role and evolution of the Conseil national de l'alimentation (CNA) and its management of the Comité national d'éthique des abattoirs (CNEAb), which deals with topics related to animal protection and abattoir ethics in a context of societal crisis. The CNEAb, initially a temporary body, has been made permanent, becoming a unique forum in Europe for constructive debate on animal protection, particularly in connection with the revision of the European regulations on animal transport.

Document Types: Technical work

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

Keywords: Carcass quality, Euthanasia, Abuse,Animal trade, Transport, Societal issues

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question P-001523/2024: Respect for EU animal welfare standards, with reference to the excessive euthanasia of stray animals in Romania

Question: Nicolae Ştefănuță (Greens/EFA). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

An MEP raises the issue of the mass slaughter of stray animals in Romania in relation to EU animal welfare standards. The European Commission points out that there are no specific European regulations on the euthanasia of dogs and cats, leaving this issue to the Member States. A proposal for a regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats, currently passing through the legislative process, addresses certain aspects of euthanasia.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords: Adoption, Euthanasia,Abandonment, Population management

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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

Direction Générale de l'Alimentation (DGAL) and Sous-direction de la santé et du bien-être animal, Bureau du bien-être animal (SDSBEA) of the French Ministry for Agriculture and Food.

Published in 2024

Technical instruction detailing the terms and conditions for the allocation of a three million-euro grant for the sterilization of stray and domestic cats by local authorities, in accordance with the 2024 Finance Act.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Felines

Keywords: Adoption,Abandonment, Castration, Population management, Sterilization

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Actualités Règlementation – Application de la règlementation bien-être animal lors de l’abattage, prenant en compte les spécificités des petits abattoirs de volailles et lagomorphes

RMT Alimentation locale

Published in 2024

Conclusions du travail du réseau mixte technologique Alimentation locale concernant la justification de l’application du règlement européen sur la protection des animaux au moment de leur mise à mort dans les petits abattoirs volailles et lagomorphes. Plus spécifiquement, la formation exigée d’un Responsable de la Protection Animale en petits abattoirs (< 150 000 oiseaux) semble disproportionnée. Une instruction technique de la DGAL pour mieux cadrer cela devrait être publiée courant 2024.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal trade, Euthanasia, Processing, Transport

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Law and animals - For a law Droit et animal – Pour un droit des relations avec les humains

Isabelle Doussan

Published in 2024

Work examining the place of domestic and wild animals in the field of the law, and exploring - albeit not exhaustively - a range of relationships relating to utility, risk, protection, and attachment.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords: Societal issues, Human-animal relationships

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001241/2024: Adoption of legislation to make it possible to bring pets into the workplace

Matteo Gazzini (PPE). Answer: Mr Schmit on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Question on whether the European Commission is considering legislation to facilitate the presence of pets in the workplace, given the scientific evidence of positive impacts on humans and their pets.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords: Animal mediation, Human-animal relationships,Working animals, Societal issues

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