Species : Multiple species

Concept article proposing to adapt the concept of affective balance, based on the balance between scales of positive and negative emotions, to the integrated assessment of animal welfare..

A SCAR study analyzing barriers to knowledge transfer from research to European policy on farm animal welfare. The study makes recommendations for the strengthening of the science-policy interface, particularly in the areas of governance, funding, research, and knowledge transfer.

Review of European Animal Law for 2025: Progress has been made toward banning fur farming, but protections for certain wild species have been rolled back. 2026 is expected to bring new regulatory developments, particularly regarding the welfare of dogs and cats and, potentially, farm animals.

Study showing that research on farm livestock animals is influenced by a 'pragmatic bias' associated with financial and practical implementation constraints, which limit the knowledge produced. The authors call for more transparency and independence in research, centred on the needs of animals, in order to encourage more deep-reaching welfare improvements. 

Survey carried out for the SCAR AH&W Group, identifying Member States'  top animal health and welfare research priorities for 2025–2026 . Among priorities identified are a “One Health” approach, disease prevention, welfare indicators, livestock systems, transport, aquaculture, genomic tools, and the impacts of climate change.

Review highlighting that animal welfare depends on the interaction between individual characteristics and social life. It emphasizes the role of affiliative interactions, sociability, and social skills as levers for improving the welfare and management of farm animals.

Review showing that gender influences attitudes toward animals: women generally express more empathy and concern for animal welfare men. The authors emphasize the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into research and policies related to animal welfare.

Review examining the mechanisms of musical perception in animals and its effects on their behavior, physiology, and welfare. It highlights potential benefits, including stress reduction, and emphasizes the value of fish as models for studying the evolutionary basis of musical perception and improving animal welfare.

Evaluation of the National Strategic Plan (PSN) from the perspective of animal welfare (BEA), covering the years 2023 and 2024—the first two full years of implementation of the CAP National Strategic Plan (PSN). Analysis of the contribution of CAP interventions to animal welfare, as well as their consistency and complementarity with other relevant measures.

Synthesis proposing an experimental framework to study the temporal structure of animal experiences, comparing the “temporal landscapes” of different species based on five experimentally-testable time windows.