Document type : Regulation/Certification

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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Recent Developments in EU Animal Law and Policy - 2019-2024 in Review

Animal Law Europe

Published in 2025

Summary of advances in EU animal law, with an initial review covering 2019-2024.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: All animals

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Guide to Good Practice: Welfare at Slaughter

BMPA

Published in 2015

Updated Guide to Good Practice: Welfare at Slaughter, which provides advice on how to improve the treatment of animals at slaughter, complementing UK and EU legislation. The guide is intended for food industry professionals.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Education, Euthanasia

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The Treatment of Farmed Fish under EU Law

Alice Di Concetto, Anatole Poinsot, Wasseem Emam, Carlos Vera

Published in 2025

Summary of European legislation on aquaculture, mainly on farmed fish. Although the public has become aware of the issue of welfare in aquaculture, the European legislators have yet to pass a new law. This article summarizes current EU legislation, including voluntary standards developed in certain countries.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords: Societal issues, Livestock farming system

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Order of July 19, 2024 publishing the list of training organizations authorized to deliver continuing professional development training for those working with domestic pets.

L. Maurer

Published in 2024

Arrêté ministériel modifiant l’encadrement de la formation pour l’ACACED

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords:Animal trade, Education, Identification, Abuse

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002435/24: Meat sector unhappy with the Commission's new proposal amending the Regulation on the protection of animals during transport

Question: Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a question from an MEP on the proposed regulations on the protection of animals during transport, with which the meat industry is not pleased. The European Commission defends its proposal for a regulation based on EFSA's scientific opinions and an in-depth impact assessment. Modelling carried out by the Joint Research Centre indicates a negligible impact on consumer prices.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Poultry

Keywords:Animal trade, Societal issues, Transportation

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002402/24: New evidence of breaches of EU law during transport of Irish calves

Question: Anja Hazekamp (The Left). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a report from an MEP of serious breaches of the rules governing the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland to Europe, including falsified documents and unsuitable conditions. The Commission, which is concerned by these practices, is following up the case, and the Irish authorities have launched an investigation into the animal collection center involved.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal trade, Pain, Euthanasia, Abuse, Transport

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002112/24: Serious concerns regarding animal cruelty during animal transport in Austria

Question: Anja Hazekamp (The Left). Answer: Mr Varhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer to a qiuestion from an  MEP on two recent cases of animal cruelty during transport in Austria. The Commission points out that it is for Member States to apply EU rules, and that new, stricter rules governing exports are currently under discussion.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal trade, Pain, Education, Abuse, Mutilation, Transport

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°788 : Interpellation sur les soirées illégales de l’Aquarium de Paris

Question: Mrs Danielle Simonnet Paris (15th district) - Écologiste et Social. Answer: Ministry of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention

Published in 2024

Answer to a question from a French Deputy on  illegal party nights at the Paris Aquarium, contrary to the 2021 law banning the presentation of animals in nightclubs. The Ministry's reply states that the Paris Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations is investigating the case to ensure that legal requirements are met. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Abuse, Fear, Stress

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