Subject: Regulations

Change the world farm by farm: The moral care of audit and the paradox of animal welfare inspection in Europe

Mc Loughlin

Published in 2025

Scientific article noting that European veterinary inspectors face a moral dilemma between official standards and the industrial reality of animal welfare during their inspections. Their power is limited, and they have to arbitrate between compliance, benevolence and systemic constraints.

Document Types: Scientific paper

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

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002054/2025: Fairness in the application of the new European animal welfare rules in the specific context of eastern Europe

Question: Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Parliamentary question on new EU animal welfare rules that risk penalizing small farms in Eastern Europe. The Commission is planning a proportionate approach that takes account of structural differences, with appropriate financial support. Harmonization is intended to avoid distortions of competitiveness in the single market.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Pigs, Poultry

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Decree of June 19, 2025 laying down the animal health and protection rules to be met by activities involving domestic pets

Maud Faipoux

Published in 2025

This Order repeals that of April 3, 2014. It reinforces animal health and protection rules for pet-related activities, providing a clear and detailed regulatory framework for the activities of shelters, breeding establishments, educators and traders, taking into account the particular needs of each individual species. Health rules must now be instituted by all establishments. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Canine, Feline, Exotic pets, Birds (excluding poultry), Fish, Rodents

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Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

Recent scientific opinion from the EFSA, identifying the main welfare risks to animals bred for their fur (mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, chinchillas), which are mainly associated with lives spent in cages without enrichment, resulting in restricted movement, stress and behavioral disorders.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001752/2025: Prosecution of infringements of the Transport Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations

Question: Marianne Vind (S&D). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Document types: Regulation/Certification

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

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Establishment of a list of non-domestic animal species that may be kept for companionship and pleasure, and definition of "conservation breeding".

Céline Couderc-Obert (IGEDD), Catherine Lhote (IGEDD), Philippe Steinmetz (CGAAER)

Published in 2025

Methodology report for drawing up a list of non-domestic species authorized to be kept without formalities for companionship or approval, for which the CGAAER and IGEDD were mobilized.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Wildlife, Exotic pets

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°2263 : Transition hors-cage des systèmes d’élevage des poules pondeuses

Question: Cyrielle Chatelain (Isère (2nd constituency) - Écologiste et Social). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Response from the French Government to a question from a member of the country's National Assembly on the recent rise in the proportion of eggs from caged farms, despite the ban on the creation or extension of such farms since 2018. In its answer, the Government reiterates its support for the gradual phasing out of cages at European level and the actions undertaken in France to support this transition.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001516/2025: Compliance with the directive on the welfare of pigs

Question : Sebastian Everding (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA), Günther Sidl (S&D), David Cormand (Greens/EFA), Cristina Guarda (Greens/EFA), Anthony Smith (The Left), Maria Noichl (S&D), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Friedrich Pürner (NI), Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (Renew). Answer: Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2025

Replying to a question from a group of MEPs on the systematic docking of pig tails, which is widely practised in almost all Member States despite its ban since 1994, the European Commission asserts that its efforts to improve the implementation of this ban continue, via the mutual sharing of good practices, the evaluation of national action plans, and the examination of options for monitoring, including procedures to deal with non-compliance. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Porcines

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Implementation of the European directive on pig welfare: A comparative study of four member states

J. Kuenzler, C.S. Vogeler

Published in 2025

Comparative study showing disparities in the application of EU regulations on pig welfare. For example, Denmark and Germany adopt stricter standards than France and Spain, in line with their political and societal priorities.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Beak trimming of hens: Practices, welfare concerns and alternatives

Harliqueen Jacinto, Marisa Erasmus

Published in 2025

Article outlining alternatives to beak trimming, practiced to limit pecking in laying hens. Environmental enrichment, genetic selection and better management practices are explored.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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