The European Union has been an advocate of animal welfare for more than 40 years and is widely recognised as a global leader, with some of the world’s best animal welfare standards. EU rules have also positively influenced legislation in non-EU countries. They mainly concern farm animals (on the farm, during transport and at slaughter), but also wildlife, laboratory animals and pets.

To protect the health of cats and dogs, the first ever legislation on EU standards is&nbsp;currently at the final stage of discussion by the&nbsp;European Parliament. The new legislation&nbsp;establishes uniform rules for the welfare of dogs and cats that are bred or kept in breeding establishments, in pet shops, and in shelters.

Around 44% of households in the EU have a pet animal. The demand for dogs and cats has grown considerably in recent years, leading to an increase in trade and online sales of these animals. However, animal welfare standards for professionals breeding, keeping and selling dogs and cats largely diverge between Member States. Moreover, there is extensive evidence of abuse, and of an&nbsp;increase in illegal dog and cat trade.&nbsp;

animal welfare (T)

9th parliamentary term

Committee of Inquiry on animal transport

Animal welfare

ANIT - Press conference on animal welfare during transport

EP Plenary session - Plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education

AGRI-PETI joint Committee - Public hearing - European Citizens’ Initiative 'End the Cage Age'

Infoclip: Common Agriculture Policy - Dairy production

AGRI-PETI joint Committee - Public hearing - European Citizensâ Initiative ' End the Cage Age '

EP Plenary session - Voting session

Voting Session: Ušakovs (A10-0044/2026), Maran, Lins (A10-0062/2026), Lange (A9-0147/2022), Vrecionová (A10-0104/2025), Sommen (A10-0251/2025), Maran (A10-0094/2026), Simon (A10-0064/2026)

Votes

Infoclip: Welfare of cats and dogs

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives

European Citizens' Initiative "Fur Free Europe": extracts from the debate

European Citizens' Initiative "Fur Free Europe": closing statement by Iliana IVANOVA, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

AGRI/PETI

European Citizens' Initiative "Fur Free Europe": MEPs debate

European Citizens' Initiative "Fur Free Europe": opening statement by Michal WIEZIK (Renew, SK), author and Iliana IVANOVA, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

LEX signing ceremony: signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

Infoclip: Cruelty free cosmetics

European Citizens’ Initiative - "Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without animal testing": extracts from the event and statements - ENVI, AGRI and PETI Committees

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": MEPs debate

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": extracts from the debate

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": opening statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), and by Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK)

Infoclip: End of the trade of shark and ray fins in the EU

European Citizens’ Initiative - “Stop Finning – Stop the trade": statement by Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK), Vice-Chair of PECH , by Dr. Nils KLUGER, Spokesperson of Stop Finning - Stop the trade and by Stefanie BRENDL, Executive Director Sh

Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare: closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety by Jérémy DECERLE (Renew, FR), Rapporteur

Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare: MEPs debate

Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare: opening statements by Jérémy DECERLE (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Joint debate on animal transport: closing statement Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health

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