The European Commission, along with the support of EU member states, has been advocating for animal welfare for over 40 years. In a significant development, a European Commissioner was officially appointed to lead animal welfare policy in 2024, indicating a heightened political commitment to animal protection. Currently, the Commission is focused on updating EU regulations concerning the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats, the treatment of animals during transport, and the importation of exotic animals. This initiative takes into account ethical, scientific, sustainability, and economic factors, along with public expectations regarding animal treatment.
Read More
A survey revealed that 84% of Europeans believe that the welfare of farmed animals should be better protected. In 2013, the EU banned the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, and 1.5 million citizens supported a Citizens’ Initiative aimed at banning fur farming.
The Commission has identified key areas of action, including promoting responsible ownership and breeding, minimizing suffering during long-distance travel, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring humane treatment at the time of death, addressing ethical concerns, improving living conditions, and enforcing strict import checks to prevent disease.
Notable achievements in animal welfare include the registration and response to two European Citizens’ Initiatives: Fur Free Europe (2023) and End the Cage Age (2021). The EU has banned the use of cages for certain animals, benefiting 360 million laying hens and 12 million sows. Since 2009, animal testing for cosmetics has ceased in the EU. The Lisbon Treaty recognizes animals as sentient beings, mandating that EU institutions consider animal welfare in policy-making. Additionally, over 2,000 veterinarians have been trained in animal welfare through Commission-funded programs since 2006.
Focusing on the livestock sector, which employs around seven million people and generates €400 billion annually, the Commission has introduced a strategy aimed at making the sector more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable. This strategy seeks to boost farmers' ability to handle challenges sustainably, structured around five priorities: crisis preparedness, competitiveness, sustainability, suitability for all farms and regions, and excellence in livestock production. These initiatives are designed to reduce dependency on imports, lower emissions, enhance food safety, improve animal welfare, and fortify the overall resilience of the livestock sector.