In the first two decades of the 21st century, with new risks and opportunities arising owing to the twin digital and green transformations there is an emerging debate, rethinking economic growth theories with more focus on inclusion and combatting inequality, and exploring the relevance of traditional welfare state models. This debate has intensified in the wake of the 2008 crisis, and now also as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and crisis. The social economy can play a central role in this context.

EPRS policy podcast - What future for the social economy?

Did you know that the EU has specific rules for the protection of chickens reared for meat production?

This is what Europe does for people concerned about the welfare of meat chickens

Are you someone who eats pork but also cares about animal welfare? You’ll be glad to know that the EU has specific rules on the protection of pigs.

This is what Europe does for people concerned about the welfare of pigs

Are you concerned about the wellbeing of farm animals? In this struggle, the EU has been your ally for more than 40 years and has made steady gains

This is what Europe does for defenders of farm animal welfare

If you are vegetarian or vegan for health or ethical reasons, or you are simply concerned about animal welfare, here are three things that Europe does for you.

This is what Europe does for vegetarians

Do you enjoy a good boiled egg in the morning, but worry about the welfare of the hen that laid it? As it turns out, you can find out more straight from the egg itself. Here are two things the EU does for hen welfare.

This is what Europe does for people concerned about hen welfare.

The slaughter of animals for food and other purposes is a controversial issue.The EU, too, is taking action to protect animal welfare during slaughter. Here are three examples.

This is what Europe does for animal welfare during slaughter.

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. In December 2021, Parliament’s Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport (ANIT) wrapped up its work of 18 months, concluding that EU animal welfare rules are not always complied with in member states - and do not fully take into account animals’ different transport needs. The most obvious violations include a lack of headroom, water or food supply for transported animals, the shipping of animals unfit for transport and overcrowding. Vehicles that are inappropriate for transporting animals are being used, and transport sometimes take place under extreme temperature and extended journey times. To remedy the situation, the draft recommendations call on the EU Commission to update the current EU rules, to establish limits on journey time for all animal species and ages, ban the transport of very young animals below the age of 35 days, and bolster controls on live animal export. MEPs also advocate a transition to a more efficient and ethical system, that favours the transport of semen and embryos over breeding stock, and carcasses and meat over animals being moved for slaughter.

Animal welfare

Recent scandals, from LuxLeaks (2014) to Panama Papers (2016), have demonstrated how important whistle-blowers’ revelations are to detect and prevent breaches of EU law harmful to the public interest and the welfare of society. Lack of effective whistle-blower protection at EU level can also negatively impact the functioning of EU policies in a member state, but can also spill over to other countries and the EU as a whole.

On 11 March 2019 the European Parliament and the Member States reached a provisional agreement that covers a wide reach of areas of EU law, including anti-money laundering and corporate taxation, data protection, protection of the Union's financial interests, food and product safety and environmental protection and nuclear safety. Further, Member States are encouraged o establish comprehensive legal framework to protect whistleblowers (whistle-blowers) in other areas. The new rules, approved by EU ministers on 25 September 2019, have been signed by the EP on 23 October 2019 and published in the Official Journal on 26 November 2019. Member states will then have two years to comply with such rules.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/protection-of-whistleblowers-8th-parliamentary-term_9901_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Protection of whistleblowers

From childhood to retirement, social policies are important at all stages of our lives.

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges.

The effects of the economic crisis are still deeply felt in many member states and, even though things have improved in many countries, great disparities remain within the EU. Unemployment rates are decreasing overall, but vary strongly among EU countries.

Low birth rates and an aging population also challenge the sustainability of welfare systems. Working life is being transformed due by technological innovation, globalisation and the rise of the services sector. New business models in the sharing economy with more flexible forms of working are becoming more important.

Social Europe (2020)

Multiple studies have measured the effects of the single market on the EU economy. Quantifications of the benefits vary, but are overwhelmingly positive. A 2019 study suggested that EU citizens' per capita welfare gains from the single market amount to €840 annually. Also in 2019, the European Commission estimated that, mainly due to the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, EU GDP is 8-9% higher than if the single market did not exist.

Single market - 8th parliamentary term

EU citizens are becoming increasingly concerned that all kinds of production systems and other activities should be sustainable.Animal welfare is an important aspect of sustainability,and also of product quality, and may result in consumers refusing to buy products. 

The welfare of an individual is its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment. Welfare includes feelings and health and can be measured scientifically. It is a biological concept, quite different from rights, and refers only to living animals.

Animal welfare (2019 - 2020)

Stéphane Hessel was born in Berlin in 1917 out of cosmopolitan German parents. His family moved permanently to Paris when he was seven, where Mr. Hessel decided to become a French national. After the debacle of the French armies in 1940, he joined de Gaulle's Secret Services during the Second World War, and was captured by the Gestapo in France. Mr. Hessel was then deported to Buchenwald where he got interrogated and tortured. After the war he embarked upon a diplomatic career, and participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.

Since the war he has been an indefatigable defender of human rights inside and outside France, a commitment which he sees part of the same combat that had led him to join the "exhilarating adventure of the Free French". In October 2010, his essay "Indignez-vous!" was published, in which he argues that the French people need to get outraged again, as were those who participated in the French Resistance during World War II. In his essay, Mr. Hessel describes a personal outrage against the growing gap between the rich and the poor, France's treatment of its illegal immigrants, the plight of Palestinians and the importance of protecting the French welfare system.

Stéphane Hessel

This package contains the events of 2020. For latest events, see related links.

On 29 January 2020, the European Commission's Work Programme 2020 was published. Under the second priority - 'A Europe fit for the digital age'- the Commission announced its intention to put forward a new Digital Services Act in order to reinforce the single market for digital services, and help provide smaller businesses with the legal clarity and level playing field they need.

While the E-Commerce Directive has been the cornerstone of the Internal Market for the last twenty years, Members of the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee noted that the Digital Single Market is affected by increasing fragmentation in tackling illegal content online, difficulties to promote market entry and consumer welfare, and ineffectiveness of enforcement and cooperation between Member States.

Digital Services Act (2020)

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

Opening of the sitting

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (debate)

Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives (debate)

Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia (debate)

Deterioration of living conditions in the EU (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Request for waiver of immunity

Voting time (continuation)

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Proposal for a Union act: see Minutes

Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU (debate)

Explanations of vote

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Council position at first reading (Rule 63)

Composition of Parliament

European Citizens' Initiative "Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment" (debate)

Advancing the 2022 Bridgetown Agenda (debate)

Lack of actions taken by the Commission in the context of the duty of sincere and loyal cooperation (debate)

Voting time

Composition of committees and delegations

Long term commitment to animal welfare (debate)

Adjournment of the session

Resumption of the session

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting: see Minutes

Statement by the President

Composition of political groups

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71): see Minutes

Corrigenda (Rule 241)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

Order of business

20th anniversary of the euro

European Central Bank – annual report 2021(debate)

Voting session

European Central Bank – annual report 2021(continuation of debate)

Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare(debate)

Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2020(debate)

A European strategy for offshore renewable energy(debate)

Assessment of the implementation of Article 50 TEU(short presentation)

Implementation of the Sixth VAT Directive(short presentation)

Assessment of the implementation of Article 50 TEU(continuation)

Impact of national tax reforms on the EU economy(short presentation)

Challenges for urban areas in the post-COVID-19 era(short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda of the next sitting

Press conference by Daniel BUDA, and Isabel CARVALHAIS, co-rapporteurs, on Animal welfare during transport: Parliament's recommendations

The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia (debate)

Corrections to votes and voting intentions : see Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Conflict of interest and corruption affecting the protection of EU's financial interests in Member States (debate)

EU disability strategy post 2020 (debate)

Corrigenda (Rule 241) (follow-up): see Minutes

Implementing acts and measures (Rule 112(4)d and Rule 111(6)) (action taken): see Minutes

Request for consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee (Rule 145) (consent): see Minutes

Outcome of the COP25 (debate)

EU Pollinators Initiative (debate)

Animal welfare conditions during transport to third countries (debate)

Enabling the digital transformation of health and care (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Plenary

Annual strategic report on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (debate)

Implementation of the Generalised Scheme Preferences (GSP) Regulation (debate)

Human rights situation in Kazakhstan

Iran, notably the case of human rights defenders

Situation of human rights in Guatemala

Welcome

Corrections to votes and voting intentions

Animal welfare rules in aquaculture (debate)

Fundamental Rights of People of African Descent

Forwarding of texts adopted during the sitting : see Minutes

Dates of forthcoming sittings : see Minutes

Care services in the EU for improved gender equality (debate)

Lyme disease (Borreliosis) (debate)

Vietnam, notably the situation of political prisoners

The human rights situation in Cuba

The human rights situation in Bangladesh

Action taken as a result of a request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Role of the German Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) in cross-border family disputes (debate)

Public procurement strategy package (debate)

Deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, notably the case of Charter 97 (debate)

The UAE, notably the situation of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor

Mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Kazakhs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Animal welfare, antimicrobial use and the environmental impact of industrial broiler farming (debate)

Food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (debate)

A new animal welfare strategy for 2016-2020 (debate)

Food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health, plant reproductive material and plant protection products - Animal health - Protective measures against pests of plants (debate)

EU citizens' mobility and Member States' welfare systems (debate)

Strategy for the protection and welfare of animals (short presentation)

Welfare of laying hens (debate)

Evaluation and assessment of the Animal Welfare Action Plan 2006-2010 (short presentation)

EP Plenary session - European Citizens' Initiative Fur Free Europe

AGRI IMCO PETI public hearing - European Citizen's Initiative ' Fur Free Europe '

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Reviewing the protection status of wolves and other large carnivores in the EU

EP Plenary session - European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without animal testing

ENVI AGRI PETI joint hearing ' Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics '

PECH ENVI PETI Public Hearing - European Citizens’ Initiative ' Stop Finning – Stop the trade '

Illustrutation showing the trade of shark and ray fins in the EU, including the import, export and transit of fins

EP Plenary session - Long term commitment to animal welfare

Animal Welfare Intergroup meeting - The case for a fur free Europe

EP Plenary session - Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Animal transport

Illustration about the EU ban on the use of wild animals in circuses

ANIT - Press conference on animal welfare during transport

ANIT Committee - Public Hearing on Recommendations for the Future

ANIT Committee - Public hearing  on Alternatives to long-distance live animal transport and farmers' experience of the shift to alternatives

ANIT Committee - Investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union.

Plenary Session - European Citizens' Initiative End the cage age

Over 1,5 million citizens supported the European Citizens' Initiative, 'Fur Free Europe’, which calls for an EU ban on the keeping and killing of animals for the sole or main purpose of fur production. The organisers also seek to prohibit selling fur from these animals, as well as products containing this fur across the Union. This news item shows footage of the MEPs debate on this initiative against the rearing and killing of animals exclusively for fur production in the EU.

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

MEPs debate the European Citizens’ Initiative “Fur Free Europe” to ban the rearing and killing of animals exclusively for fur production in the EU. The initiative calls for an EU ban on the keeping and killing of animals for the sole or main purpose of fur production. The organisers also seek to prohibit selling fur from these animals, as well as products containing this fur across the Union. The initiative “Fur Free Europe” collected 1,502,319 valid signatures from all EU countries. Closing statement by Iliana IVANOVA, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

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

MEPs debate the European Citizens’ Initiative “Fur Free Europe” to ban the rearing and killing of animals exclusively for fur production in the EU. The initiative calls for an EU ban on the keeping and killing of animals for the sole or main purpose of fur production. The organisers also seek to prohibit selling fur from these animals, as well as products containing this fur across the Union. The initiative “Fur Free Europe” collected 1,502,319 valid signatures from all EU countries.

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

MEPs debate the European Citizens’ Initiative “Fur Free Europe” to ban the rearing and killing of animals exclusively for fur production in the EU. The initiative calls for an EU ban on the keeping and killing of animals for the sole or main purpose of fur production. The organisers also seek to prohibit selling fur from these animals, as well as products containing this fur across the Union. The initiative “Fur Free Europe” collected 1,502,319 valid signatures from all EU countries. Opening statement by Michal WIEZIK (Renew, SK), author and Iliana IVANOVA, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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

This news item shows extracts from the 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. The six COD LEX texts are about consumer credits, ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport , on the promotion of energy from renewable sources, on geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products, on establishing the European defence industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act and on the labelling of organic pet food.

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

European citizens have repeatedly demanded an end to the harmful use of animals in cosmetics and other chemical tests, as well as an ambitious plan to bring all experiments on animals to an end. The Save cruelty free cosmetics European Citizens' Initiative closed on 31 August 2022 with 1,413,383 signatures collected in one year. This is the second ECI on this issue that has surpassed the one million signature mark, the first being Stop Vivisection in 2015. This infoclip shows cosmetics and cruelty free logos in a make-up store and a drugstore, close-ups of different types of cosmetics and a professional make-up artist at work.

Infoclip: Cruelty free cosmetics

MEPs from the EP Committees on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and on Petitions (PETI) debate animal testing in cosmetics with the initiators of a citizen’s initiative to secure better animal welfare and environmental protection, in a public hearing. The European Citizens’ Initiative on “Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics”, with nearly 1.5 million signature collected in one year, wants the EU to strengthen its animal testing ban

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

MEPs debate a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU. Closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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

MEPs debate a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU.

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

Plenary debates a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU. The European Citizens' Initiative “Stop Finning - Stop the Trade” gathered the support of over 1.1 million signatures with the minimum threshold reached in 15 member states. Extracts from the debate. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

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

MEPs debate a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU. Opening statements by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA,NL), ENVI and Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK), FISH and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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)

This infoclip illustrates the trade of shark and ray fins in the EU, including the import, export and transit of fins.

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

The PECH Committee (Committee on Fisheries), in association with the ENVI and PETI Committees holds a public hearing on the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) "Stop Finning – Stop the Trade".The initiative was officially submitted to the European Commission in January after having gathered the support of over 1.1 million signatures with the minimum threshold reached in 15 Member States. It calls on the Commission to propose legal measures to end the trade of shark and ray fins in the EU, including the import, export and transit of fins, other than if naturally attached to the animal's body, notably by extending the scope of Regulation (EU) No 605/2013. Ambiance shots of the protest in front of the EP (27/03), statements by statement by Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK), Vice-Chair of PECH Committee, by Dr. Nils KLUGER, Spokesperson of STOP FINNING - STOP THE TRADE and by Stefanie BRENDL, Executive Director Shark Allies and extracts from the exchange of views

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

2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). The Familly farm "Ferme de la Croix" in Villers-le-Bouillet / Fize-Fontaine is Established in the village for 5 generations cultivating the land and raising livestock. They try to adapt the agricultural practices to environmental challenges and animal welfare. They also diversified their production, opening their own butcher shop on the farm and producing artisanal pasta. This Infoclip illustrates: cattle on the field, feeding the cattle, harvesting, artisanal pasta production and butcher shop.

Infoclip: 60 years of the CAP - modern agriculture example (Belgium)

Closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and Jérémy DECERLE (Renew, FR), Rapporteur, after the debate focusing on the implementation of EU legislation on the welfare of food-producing animals.

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

The debate focuses on the implementation of EU legislation on the welfare of food-producing animals. The legislation needs to have clearer wording of the goals, and indicators allowing a more uniform transposition across Member States and providing for a more consistent monitoring and sanctioning.

Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare: MEPs debate

This report by Jeremy DECERLE, (Renew, FR), addresses the implementation of EU legislation on the welfare of food-producing animals. The legislation needs to have clearer wording of the goals, and indicators allowing a more uniform transposition across Member States and providing for a more consistent monitoring and sanctioning. His report also encompasses environmental elements, economical and social aspects. Opening statements by Jérémy DECERLE (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

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

MEPs debate on possible strategies to minimize the impact of transport of animals. Closing statements 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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