Subject: Regulations

Final report of an audit carried out in the Netherlands in order to evaluate the protection of unweaned calves during long journeys - European Commission

DG Health - European Commission

Published in 2024

Audit report by the European Commission to assess the effectiveness of official controls on the protection of unweaned calves during long journeys in the Netherlands. It concludes that the system of official controls is satisfactory, despite weaknesses after calves have been unloaded, or during transport where watering devices are not specific to calves. The report recommends improvements, including the use of iRASFF to report non-conformities.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal trade, Stress, Transport

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European Parliament: Answer to Question E-001217/24: Welfare of crustaceans at slaughter

Question: Sarah Wiener (Greens/EFA). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Response from the European Commission to an MEP's question on the welfare of crustaceans at slaughter. The Commission states that it has mandated EFSA to produce an expert opinion on the welfare of certain invertebrates such as decapods. It also refers to the creation, at the beginning of 2024, of the EU Reference Center for Aquatic Animal Welfare.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Crustaceans

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia

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Final report of a fact-finding mission of Italy in order to collect information on the national system for the protection of turkey welfare on farm - European Commission

DG Health - European Commission

Published in 2024

European Commission report on the national legislation and systems put in place by Italy to protect the welfare of turkeys during production. Italy has transposed, implemented and, for certain parameters, further developed the EU legal framework. However, there is still room for improvement in areas such as stocking densities, mutilation and environmental enrichment.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keyword:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Livestock buildings, Mutilation

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European Parliament: written answer to Question E-001190/2024: Use of eggs in processed foods - a level playing field

Question: Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Answer from the European Commission to an MEP's question on the provenance of eggs used in processed products and the tightening of regulations on the accurate labelling of these products.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Livestock buildings, Identification, Housing, Livestock farming system, Processing

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National Assembly: written answer to question n°14325: Submission of government report on on-farm slaughtering trials

Question: Lisa Belluco (Ecologist - NUPES - Vienna). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2024

Question from a Member of the French National Assembly on the introduction of mobile on-farm slaughterhouses. The French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has announced the recent publication of a regulation amending Regulation (EC) 853/53/2004 to regulate the use of mobile on-farm slaughter units.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

Keywords: Carcass quality, Euthanasia, Housing,Animal trade, Pain, Transport

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001193/2024: Legislative proposals on harmonised animal welfare rules for turkeys

Question: Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Answer from the European Commission to a parliamentary quetion on the timetable for the presentation of future legislative proposals following on from the EFSA's opinion on animal welfare and, more specifically, on turkey welfare.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Housing, Societal issues

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Reptile expos: an analysis and recommendations for control

Clifford Warwick, Catrina Steedman, Mike Jessop, Rachel Grant

Published in 2024

Analysis of a survey of those involved in the trading or exhibition of reptiles in Europe and the United States. At least 10 animal welfare issues and 5 public health and safety issues identified in the survey lead its authors to conclude that the lack of monitoring and control at reptile shows, combined with their frequency, necessitate a ban on these events.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Exotic pets, Reptiles

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption, Animal trade, Education, Abuse, Pathogen transfer

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Bien-être animal : lancement du plan national pour améliorer le bien-être des animaux de compagnie

French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2024

Press release from the Ministry announcing the launch on May 22, 2024 of a national pet welfare plan. Based on awareness-raising and provision of information, this national plan aims to prevent and combat the abandonment and abuse of pets, and to improve the management of canine and feline strays.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines, Exotic pets

Keywords: Adoption,Abandonment, Human-animal relationships, Population management, Abuse

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European Parliament: written answer to question E-003741/2023: Aid for poultry farmers who improve their flocks' environment 

Question: Annika Bruna (ID). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Reply from the European Commission to a Member of Parliament on the insufficient aid provided for European poultry farmers trying to enrich  the living environment of their animals, and who must face foreign competition due to increased imports of poultry products not subject to European legislation.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal trade, Enrichment, Environment, Housing, Restraint equipment, Pollution, Livestock farming system, Transport, Societal issues

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Animal sentience included in Belgian Constitution

Eurogroup for Animals

Published in 2024

Article announcing the addition of animal sentience to the Belgian Constitution, making Belgium the sixth EU member state to include animals in its Constitution.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Consciousness, Societal issues

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