The Protection of Cats and Dogs in EU Law – Companion for Life: From Ownership to Responsibility
Published in 2025
White paper on the protection of cats and dogs in the EU
Document Types: Technical review
Subject: Regulations
A survey on management of milk feeding, weaning and housing of conventional and organic dairy calves in Europe
Published in 2025
Results of a scientific survey on dairy calf management in Europe. It suggests that there are discrepancies between research recommendations and current practices regarding milk quantity and feeding frequency, as well as weaning. Legislative or industry recommendations are mainly followed in organic production in a small proportion of countries.
Document Types: Scientific paper
Animal categories: Bovines
Animal welfare organisations that rehome dogs from southern and eastern Europe to Germany: A homepage content analysis
Published in 2025
Scientific article analyzing the homepages of German animal welfare organizations involved in the adoption of abandoned dogs from southern and eastern European countries. He concludes that the lack of health information and behavioral descriptions can hinder adoption and increase the number of returns. Failure to comply with legislation can jeopardize animal welfare and increase the risk of illegal trade in dogs.
Document Types: Scientific paper
Animal categories:Canine
Welfare of sheep, cattle, and pigs at control posts during long distance transportation across Europe
Published in 2025
Study carried out at an Italian checkpoint (2019-2024) showing that long animal journeys, mainly of sheep from France to Greece, are often associated with welfare problems, particularly in pigs.
Document Types: Scientific paper
Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°7524 : Interdiction de l’élevage en cage
Published in 2025
Government answer to a question raised by a Deputy on the urgent need to ban cage farming in France, reminding the government of its unfulfilled commitments and of the strength of public expectations. In it, the government reaffirms its support for an end to the use of cages as part of a progressive Europe-wide approach, based on scientific, economic and social analysis. France will support the transition through the provision of research, aid to farmers and consultation with all stakeholders.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
Animal categories: Poultry
Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°7147 : Quelles mesures pour éviter la prolifération des chats errants ?
Published in 2025
Government answer to a question from a Deputy on the proliferation of stray cats in France. It summarises existing measures and its support for local pilot schemes supported by a one-off €3 million funding pot in 2024, but, for the time being, envisages no further roll-out due to lack of funding.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
Animal categories: Felines
Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°7146 : Pour un audit de l’ensemble des abattoirs français
Published in 2025
Answer from the French Government to a question from a Deputy calling for a national audit of abattoirs following the L214 group's exposure of cruel practices. The government replies that abattoirs are already tightly controlled, with regular inspections, annual audits and reinforced inspection, and is looking into the roll-out of video surveillance despite the constraints involved.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry
European Parliament: Written answer to question E-002984/25: Violations of the animal transport regulation
Published in 2025
Answer from the European Commission to a question from MEPs on the illegal transport of unweaned calves from Austria and Germany to Spain that are then sent to slaughter without stunning in North Africa and the Middle East. The Commission states that it has no information on the specific case, but acknowledges that it has received several similar complaints. It reminds MEPs that compliance with regulations is primarily the responsibility of Member States, and points out that its proposal for a new regulation is intended to strengthen the rules and penalties in order to better protect vulnerable animals during transport.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
Animal categories: Bovines
European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002989/2025: Respect for animal welfare in Ukrainian poultry imports
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
European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002603/2025: Finland's derogation for mink fur farming and the ban on fur farming throughout the EU
Published in 2025
Answer to a question on a request by Finland for a derogation to continue mink farming despite the addition of mink to the EU list of invasive species and the fact that most Member States have already banned the farming of fur. In its answer, the European Commission states that it will grant any such derogation according to its published criteria and that it intends to follow up on the Fur Free Europe Citizen's Initiative by March 2026. It will conduct an impact assessment before deciding on a possible EU-wide ban.
Document types: Regulation/Certification
Animal categories: Mammals
