Subject: Regulations

Financing the Transition to Cage-Free Farming in the EU

Godfroy, A., Muro, M., Nadeu, E., Wedl, I., Jadzisnka, J.

Published in 2026

Report providing a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the financing options for the transition to cage-free livestock farming systems at EU level, drawing on scientific data, an analysis of European policies, national case studies, and interviews with industry experts.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

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Évaluation de l’impact du PSN sur le bien-être animal-rapport final

EY

Published in 2026

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.

Document Types: Technical review

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

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The use of Diathermic Syncope® for stunning cattle – EFSA Opinion

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Anja B. Riber, Karl Stahl, Jan Arend Stegeman, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Frank Tuyttens, Virginie Michel, Christoph Winckler, Mohan Raj, Antonio Velarde, Alexei Vyssotski, Yves Van der Stede, Aikaterini Manakidou

Published in 2026

New EFSA opinion concluding that the Diathermic Syncope® (DTS) method for stunning cattle does not guarantee a level of welfare equivalent to that of methods that are currently permitted.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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Chiens de race : l’esthétique peut-elle justifier la souffrance ?

Valérie Chansigaud

Published in 2026

Article recounting the history of the selection by breeders of animals with extreme body types and describing the health and welfare issues that result from this.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Welfare assessment of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) on farm

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Virginie Michel, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Karl Stahl, Jutta Berk, Joanna Marchewka, Nienke van Staaveren, Oana Maria Balmos, Chiara Fabris, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Cristina Rojo Gimeno, Antonio Velarde, Anja Brinch Riber

Published in 2026

New EFSA scientific opinion identifyinh key welfare concerns for turkeys. To improve turkey welfare, the EFSA experts recommend increasing space allowances, implementing appropriate enrichment techniques, phasing out mutilations, and avoiding the practice of culling flocks.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Poultry

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Animal welfare indicators and stress response of broiler chickens raised at low and high stocking density

Chan Ho Kim, Ki Hyun Kim, Ju Lan Chun, Se Jin Lim, Jung Hwan Jeon

Published in 2025

Study showing that lower stocking densities in broiler chickens improve welfare (drier litter, less foot dermatitis, lower corticosterone) and feed efficiency, despite slightly lower feed intake and body weight.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.4: Transport of Animals by Air

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.3: Transport of Animals by Land

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.2: Transport of Animals by Sea

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Ensuring ethical beef production: A comprehensive risk assessment of animal welfare during transportation and slaughter processes

Piotr Janiszewski, Marco Misuraca, Egidia Costanzi, Beniamino Cenci Goga

Published in 2025

EFSA project seeking to produce an updated cattle handling pathway during transport and slaughter that would reduce stress, reliance on coercive devices and the risk of injury due to trama or falls. The project demonstrates how compliance with animal welfare standards can be harmonized with operational efficiency, safety, and product quality.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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