About: animal welfare
EU not on track to reduce livestock antibiotics, say campaigners
EU and national policies are not ambitious enough to reach the bloc's goal of halving antibiotic use in livestock farming by 2030, according to campaigners, who warn that without sufficient action, humans will also be at risk from antimicrobial resistance.
From backing bans to foie gras fans: The story behind the European Parliament’s U-turn
The European Parliament has declared foie gras production respectful of animal welfare criteria in a new report, despite previously demanding a ban on force-feeding, which was called “cruel and unnecessary”. EURACTIV explores what is behind this change of heart.
European Parliament endorses animal welfare report, paving way for new EU rules
The European Parliament has voted in favour of a report on on-farm animal welfare that will feed into the EU’s new animal welfare rules, but the report has been lambasted for supporting controversial practices, such as foie gras production, and favouring economic interests.
Germany favours ‘pragmatic’ approach to animal welfare labelling
Germany's agriculture ministry wants to approach the implementation of a national animal husbandry label "step by step", while also pushing an origin label at the EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
European Parliament calls for better animal protection during transport
The European Parliament has adopted recommendations for tougher and more effective animal protection rules during live transports. Some, however, bemoan lacking ambition and call for a hard limit on the duration of journeys.
German agri minister to introduce mandatory animal welfare label
In his first government statement to the German federal parliament on Friday (January 14), Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir announced his intentions to introduce mandatory husbandry labeling this year. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Towards the end of the road for the EU’s inhumane live animal transports?
Members of the European Parliament have a unique chance to drastically improve the lives of animals during transport. They need to take it, argue Tilly Metz and Anja Hazekamp.
New German agri minister stresses forest protection at first EU meeting
During his first agriculture and fisheries council, new German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir presented himself as an advocate of climate protection and animal welfare as the ministers discussed measures against deforestation.
EU lawmakers call for tougher rules on live animal transport
Rules on the duration and conditions for animal transports need to become stricter, said MEPs on a Parliament special committee after having found numerous breaches of existing animal welfare rules.
New German coalition plans mandatory animal welfare label, restructuring of farm subsidies
Germany's next government will introduce compulsory livestock labelling and revise the distribution of EU agricultural subsidies, according to the coalition agreement the three parties agreed to on Wednesday (24 November). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Two million animals stand in firing line of EU’s new sustainable chemical ambitions
Requirements in the EU’s chemical strategy for sustainability would see an additional 2 million animals used for testing unless a concerted effort is made to invest in alternatives to animal testing, stakeholders have warned.
Animal welfare in the EU
Where do the EU and its member states stand in terms of animal welfare and what is being done in terms of policy? In this infographic, EURACTIV takes a look at some of the key facts and figures.
EU countries urge Commission to aid crisis-stricken pig meat sector
Twenty EU countries have called on the European Commission to step up action on the crisis-ridden pig meat sector, struggling with disease and the COVID-19 pandemic, with farmers' associations calling it an "existential threat to all farms".
Probiotics one of the ‘last remaining tools’ to fight antimicrobial resistance
As the EU moves to tighten restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the livestock sector, probiotics are rapidly becoming one of the last tools remaining in the toolbox for producers. But prohibitive prices continue to impede their uptake, according to an expert.
Ireland’s decision to export live pigs, sheepmeat to China sparks backlash
Ireland has struck a new deal which will pave the way for the export of sheepmeat and breeding pigs from Ireland to China, in a move which has caused consternation among agricultural stakeholders. The deal, which follows years of negotiations,...
German supermarket chain REWE to remove most foreign pork from shelves
German supermarket chain REWE aims for 95% of its pork to be homegrown to help the sector struggling from disease and high feed prices, prompting the European Commission to warn that over-reliance on domestic supply could in some cases infringe the bloc's competition rules.
French egg industry backs chick culling ban, calls for EU-wide extension
After French Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie announced a ban on the crushing of male chicks, questions arose as to how feasible such a move would be, particularly regarding the cost and adopted technique. EURACTIV France reports.
Crying fowl: Ministers call for EU-wide minimum standards for turkey farming
EU agriculture ministers have called for the creation of EU-wide minimum standards for turkey farming, which, despite being the third most slaughtered animal, still lack specific legal regulations for their husbandry.
EU implements first animal welfare-based condition in trade agreement
In an unprecedented move, the EU has included the first animal welfare-based condition in the Mercosur trade agreement, but stakeholders warned that this does not go far enough to save the controversial deal that is facing increasing opposition in Europe.
Germany, France call on EU countries to also ban culling of male chicks
France and Germany are now calling on other EU countries to follow their lead in banning the controversial practice of culling male chicks, which both countries pledged to end from January 2022. EURACTIV France and EURACTIV Germany report.
EU countries back cage-free farming initiative with some caveats
Representatives of member states have endorsed the European Commission's ambition to phase out cage rearing in the EU, but showed far less enthusiasm than the European Parliament and expressed concerns about the timeline of the initiative and the appropriate financial support for farmers.
German commission urges phase out of CAP direct payments
The EU's agricultural subsidies should be restructured to achieve environment and climate goals, including a phase out of direct payments and the reduction of livestock, according to a milestone report from the German commission on the future of agriculture. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs overwhelmingly vote to ban cages for farmed animals
The European Parliament urged the European Commission to make cages for farmed animals a thing of the past in a resolution adopted on Thursday (10 June), marking a first step towards a ban on cages by 2027.