Discipline: Ethology

Biology, husbandry systems and farm practices for American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Maria Díez-León, Sabine Dippel, Sandra Edwards, Angela Schwarzer, Denise Candiani, Michaela Hempen, Eliana Lima, Claudia Millán Caravaca, Neil J. Tirchett, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Mette S. Herskin

Published in 2025

EFSA technical report updating its 2001 analysis of the welfare of animals bred for their fur (mink, fox, raccoon dog, chinchilla), incorporating recent data on these animals' biology and the production cycles and farming methods used.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Mammals

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Aggressive Mating Behavior in Roosters (Gallus gallus domesticus): A Narrative Review of Behavioral Patterns

Mihnea Lupu, Dana Tăpăloagă, Elena Mitrănescu, Raluca Ioana Rizac, George Laurențiu Nicolae, Manuella Militaru

Published in 2025

Review showing that intensive genetic selection of broilers has led to male sexual behavior dysfunctions (absence of courtship, forced mating, injury to hens), linked to genetic, neuroendocrine and environmental factors.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

Recent scientific opinion from the EFSA, identifying the main welfare risks to animals bred for their fur (mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, chinchillas), which are mainly associated with lives spent in cages without enrichment, resulting in restricted movement, stress and behavioral disorders.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

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Welfare of beef cattle

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

EFSA opinion assessing the risks to beef cattle welfare associated with the environment, rearing practices and mutilation. It proposes concrete recommendations (space, feeding, enrichment, ABM in slaughterhouses). Emphasis is placed on pain prevention, the social stability of animals, and improved stabling conditions and access to the outdoors.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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Effects of music enrichment on the welfare of small ornamental fishes

Tianyu Niu, Bochun Xiang, Puyi Huang, Xigui Yang, Longhui Chai

Published in 2025

Scientific article demonstrating that certain musical styles and tempi, notably slow guzheng (Chinese zither) music, reduce stress and cortisol levels in aquarium fish. Music can produce positive or negative behavior, depending on the species and the tempo. Slow guzheng music was found to be the most soothing of the styles in the experiment, especially for guppies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

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Decree of June 19, 2025 laying down the animal health and protection rules to be met by activities involving domestic pets

Maud Faipoux

Published in 2025

This Order repeals that of April 3, 2014. It reinforces animal health and protection rules for pet-related activities, providing a clear and detailed regulatory framework for the activities of shelters, breeding establishments, educators and traders, taking into account the particular needs of each individual species. Health rules must now be instituted by all establishments. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Canine, Feline, Exotic pets, Birds (excluding poultry), Fish, Rodents

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Review - Restricted access to pasture and inadequate grazing in ruminants and equines

Brunet Valentin, Fusi Francesca, Bernardo Tiziano, Canali Elisabetta, Ruet Alice, Faye Bernard, Aubé Lydiane

Published in 2025

Synthesis from EURCAW Ruminants & Equines on the provision of access to pasture, which encourages the expression of natural behaviors and improves the health and well-being of ruminants and equines, notably through enhanced locomotion, enriched social interactions and good quality feed. However, it is not without some risks (animals can suffer from nutritional deficiencies, thermal stress, and locomotory and health disorders such as parasitism), calling for the appropriate management of resources, the environment and animal health.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Ruminants

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Regional Platform on Animal Welfare for Europe - Annual report - 2024

Regional animal welfare platform for Europe / WHOA

Published in 2024

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) European Regional Platform on Animal Welfare, created in 2013, supports all 53 European countries in the progressive implementation of WOAH standards, notably in the realms of transport, slaughter, management of stray dogs, animal welfare during emergencies caused by extreme natural events, and working equines. Since 2024, it has been putting its fourth action plan into operation, which responds to the needs of member countries and the results of an external evaluation.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Dogs, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Chickens perceive humans as social buffers and may follow human-given cues: A pilot study

Vitor Hugo Bessa Ferreira, Elise Calesse, Lucille Dumontier, Fabien Cornilleau, Julie Lemarchand, Auriane Foreau, Maxime Quentin, Léa Lansade, Céline Tallet, Xavier Boivin, Ludovic Calandreau

Published in 2025

Study showing that chickens, especially those with positive human interactions, can perceive humans in a beneficial way and associate them with rewarding experiences. It also highlights the importance of taking racial specificities into account to adapt human-animal interactions and improve poultry welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare

F. Mocz, J-P. Moysan, L. Warin, A. Keita, V. Michel, M. Guinebretière

Published in 2025

Study showing that access to a covered veranda promotes active behavior and reduces the prevalence of hock burns in broilers, without affecting zootechnical performance. Such structures improve welfare by enriching the environment without compromising either health or productivity.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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