Discipline: Ethics

Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite aux questions n°3208 : Application de la loi visant à lutter contre la maltraitance animale, et n°3072 : Vente illégale d’animaux sur Internet

Questions: Ms Lisa Belluco (Vienne (1st constituency) - Écologiste et Social). Mr. Kévin Pfeffer (Moselle (6th constituency) - Rassemblement National). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Questions from two Deputies to he Government on loopholes in the application of the 2021 law against animal abuse, particularly in the area of illegal sales of animals on the internet and the persistence of certain practices in pet shops. In response, the Ministry lists the actions it has already undertaken (decrees, controls, tools for verifying online ads) and announces a national plan for pet welfare, constructed around five axes. A regulatory review is also underway to better supervise the keeping of animals in pet shops in connection with online sales.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines, Exotic pets

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°3103 : Soutenir le droit à l’abattage à la ferme

Question: Mr Jean-Philippe Tanguy (Somme (4th district) - Rassemblement National). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

Following the loss of local abbatoirs; call by a Deputy for the expansion of the practise of on-farm slaughter, which is less stressful for animals and better adapted to local conditions. In response; the government refers to the European health framework, and expresses its support for mobile abattoir projects that comply with the rules: It has also launched a plan to strengthen local abattoir networks.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep

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A comparison of attitudes towards animal welfare between British and Japanese zoo visitors: Where and when do cultural differences diverge?

Yumi Yamanashi , Yuko IkkataiMoe Honjo, Nahoko Tokuyama, Rie Akami, Duncan Andrew Wilson, Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith

Published in 2025

Scientific study of British and Japanese visitors' attitudes towards animal welfare in zoos, feeding with live prey and trust in managers: both groups are generally concerned about welfare, but the Japanese base their judgments more on basic needs, while the British emphasize the environmental stimulation provided and the animals' emotions and cognitive abilities.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

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The Dark Side of the Moon: A Good Adoption Rate Conceals the Unsolved Ethical Problem of Never-Adopted Dogs

Corsetti, S.; Natoli, E.; Malandrucco, L.

Published in 2025

Study on the application of the Italian no-kill policy to domestic dogs, based on data from the Muratella shelter in Rome for the periods 2012-2016 and 2018-2022. Despite a high adoption rate, the significant number of dogs remaining in shelters for life raises important ethical issues.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories:Canine

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°1079 : Mise en œuvre du plan pour le bien-être animal

Question: Corinne Vignon (Haute-Garonne (3rd constituency) - Ensemble pour la République). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

Corine Vignon (Ensemble pour la République) has asked the Ministry about follow-up actions following the national pet welfare plan launched in May 2024. The Government reminds her that this plan aims to combat abandonment and abuse through coordinated actions between ministries and those active in the sector. It is based on five axes, including improving knowledge, training, strengthening regulations and funding. Interministerial governance and tools such as the "Ma sécurité" platform will enable better monitoring and more effective application of measures.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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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 labeling for products of animal origin. The government favors a voluntary approach, and is working on a labeling 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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