Species : Multiple species

Parlement européen : réponse écrite à la question E-001998/2025 : Animals confined in unspeakable conditions in Malta

Question: Lara Magoni (ECR). Answer: Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the Commission to a question from an MEP on the discovery in Malta of lions and a panther being kept under unfit conditions, revealing serious breaches of the European regulations on animal welfare. In its answer, the Commission states that Member States must apply the Zoos Directive and the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation, and that it is looking into ways to strengthen its legislation to prevent such abuse.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Wildlife, Felines

Access the source: European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001998/2025: Animals confined in unspeakable conditions in Malta

Parlement européen : réponse écrite à la question E-002896/25 : Mise en place de mesures miroirs en matière de bien-être animal

Question: Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Rody Tolassy (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Answer from the European Commission to a question from MEPs on how it plans to implement and monitor compliance with binding mirror measures that ensure a level playing field on animal welfare standards between importers of meat and European producers. The Commission responds that its future legislative proposals on animal welfare will include equivalent requirements for imported products, in compliance with WTO obligations.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Bovines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Access the source: European Parliament: Written Answer to Question E-002896/25: Implementation of mirror measures regarding animal welfare

Just like humans, many animals get more aggressive in the heat

Katarina Zimmer

Published in 2025

Article showing that high temperatures influence aggressive behavior in many species. From salamanders to fish and mammals, aggression increases when temperatures rise, as heat stimulates the metabolism and intensifies competition for resources.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: All animals

Access the source: Just like humans, many animals become more aggressive in the heat

Parlement européen : réponse écrite à la 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

Access the source: European Parliament: Written Answer to Question E-002989/2025: Respect for Animal Welfare in Ukrainian Poultry Imports

Parlement européen : Réponse écrite à la 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

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

Parlement européen : Réponse écrite à la question E-001689/25 : Normes de bien-être animal dans l’aquaculture de l’UE visant à renforcer la compétitivité et la sécurité alimentaire

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

Access the source: European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001689/25: Animal welfare standards in EU aquaculture aimed at strengthening competitiveness and food security

Cross-cultural variation in understanding of animal welfare principles and animal management practices among veterinary and animal welfare professionals in the UK and Japan

Yuki Otani, Mariko Kanamori, Hiromi Kato, Cathy M. Dwyer

Published in 2025

Survey comparing the attitudes of veterinarians and animal welfare specialists in the UK and Japan through the lens of the five freedoms. It highlights cultural differences, particularly in terms of the importance attached to the expression of natural behaviors and the management of pets.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Access the source: Cross-cultural variation in the understanding of animal welfare principles and animal management practices among veterinary and animal welfare professionals in the UK and Japan

Balancing culinary excellence with ethical responsibility: A scientific perspective on animal welfare in gastronomy

Anastasio Argüello, Marta González-Cabrera, Antonio Morales-de la Nuez, Lorenzo E. Hernández-Castellano, Manuel Betancor-Sánchez, Noemí Castro

Published in 2025

Study analyzing animal welfare issues along the full length of the food chain, from breeding and rearing to culinary preparation. It highlights ethical tensions, innovations (lab-grown meat, plant-based alternatives, insects) and regulatory gaps. It proposes a roadmap to integrate animal welfare science into culinary training and promote the sustainable and responsible enjoyment of food.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Crustaceans, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Poultry

Access the source: Balancing Culinary Excellence with Ethical Responsibility: A Scientific Perspective on Animal Welfare in Gastronomy

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

Access the source: Biology, husbandry systems, and farm practices for American mink, red foxes, Arctic foxes, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas raised for fur production – EFSA

Exploring human-animal interactions beyond academic research: A rapid review of grey literature

Siyu Ru, Daniel Villarreal Hernandez, Szymon Parzniewski, Haorui Wu

Published in 2025

Scientific overview showing that human-animal interactions are beneficial to the welfare of both humans and animals, in various contexts and for vulnerable populations.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Canine, Equine, Feline, Birds (excluding poultry)

Access the source: Exploring human-animal interactions beyond academic research: A rapid review of gray literature