Document type : Regulation/Certification

European Parliament: Written answer to question E-002984/25: Violations of the animal transport regulation

Question: Maria Noichl (S&D), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Michal Wiezik (Renew), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a question from MEPs on the illegal transport of unweaned calves from Austria and Germany to Spain that are then sent to  slaughter without stunning in North Africa and the Middle East. The Commission states that it has no information on the specific case, but acknowledges that it has received several similar complaints. It reminds MEPs that compliance with regulations is primarily the responsibility of  Member States, and points out that its proposal for a new regulation is intended to strengthen the rules and penalties in order to better protect vulnerable animals during transport.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002989/2025: Respect for animal welfare in Ukrainian poultry imports

Question: Mathilde Androuët (PfE). Answer: Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a question in the European Parliament about Ukrainian imports. It points out that although imported poultry is not subject to European animal welfare standards, the Ukraine has undertaken to bring its legislation into line with that of the EU by 2028 in order to avoid the suspension of some current trading benefits.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002013/2025: Mink farming and the protection of animal welfare

Question: Sigrid Friis (Renew), Maria Noichl (S&D), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Günther Sidl (S&D), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP), Maria Zacharia (NI), Anna Strolenberg (Greens/EFA). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the Commission to a question from MEPs on the compatibility of the cage farming of mink with Directive 98/58/EC and the need for Member States to increase their enforcement. The Commission replies that it is looking at the issue in the context of the "Fur Free Europe" European Citizens' Initiative, and will decide by March 2026 whether to propose a ban or introduce appropriate regulatory standards for fur farming, while ensuring proper enforcement by Member States.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Mammals

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001917/2025: Notification by the Netherlands on lowering the maximum temperature for the transport of animals

Question: Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Parliamentary question on the Dutch notification to lower the maximum temperature for animal transport to 30°C, which could distort the EU's internal market. The Commission recalls that this issue is addressed in the current revision of the Animal Transport Regulation, and asks Member States to avoid divergent national measures, while taking into account the observations of stakeholders.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001689/25: Animal welfare standards in EU aquaculture to boost competitiveness and food security

question : Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Robert Biedroń (S&D), Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Marianne Vind (S&D), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Maria Noichl (S&D), Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA), Günther Sidl (S&D), Per Clausen (The Left), Michal Wiezik (Renew), Alice Kuhnke (Greens/EFA), Pär Holmgren (Greens/EFA), Christel Schaldemose (S&D). Reply: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from th Commission to questions from a group of MEPs on the inclusion of aquatic animals in the new animal welfare regulations. The Commission states that aquatic animals will not be included in the forthcoming consultations. Instead, its chosen strategy is to improve the application of the existing rules and to make use of the work of EURCAW-Aqua to develop indicators and improve scientific and technical knowledge.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Crustaceans, Molluscs, Fish

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002054/2025: Fairness in the application of the new European animal welfare rules in the specific context of eastern Europe

Question: Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Parliamentary question on new EU animal welfare rules that risk penalizing small farms in Eastern Europe. The Commission is planning a proportionate approach that takes account of structural differences, with appropriate financial support. Harmonization is intended to avoid distortions of competitiveness in the single market.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

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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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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001752/2025: Prosecution of infringements of the Transport Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations

Question: Marianne Vind (S&D). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

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Establishment of a list of non-domestic animal species that may be kept for companionship and pleasure, and definition of "conservation breeding".

Céline Couderc-Obert (IGEDD), Catherine Lhote (IGEDD), Philippe Steinmetz (CGAAER)

Published in 2025

Methodology report for drawing up a list of non-domestic species authorized to be kept without formalities for companionship or approval, for which the CGAAER and IGEDD were mobilized.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Wildlife, Exotic pets

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°2263 : Transition hors-cage des systèmes d’élevage des poules pondeuses

Question: Cyrielle Chatelain (Isère (2nd constituency) - Écologiste et Social). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Response from the French Government to a question from a member of the country's National Assembly on the recent rise in the proportion of eggs from caged farms, despite the ban on the creation or extension of such farms since 2018. In its answer, the Government reiterates its support for the gradual phasing out of cages at European level and the actions undertaken in France to support this transition.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

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