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

The committee of inquiry ANIT on alleged contraventions and maladministration in animal transport will primarily investigate the alleged failure of the Commission and of member states to effectively enforce numerous EU rules related to animal transport within the EU and beyond its borders.

The committee should investigate alleged violations in the application of European Union law on the protection of animals during transport - and related operations within and outside the EU, including by air, road, rail and sea.

The constituent meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

ANIT - Committee of inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport

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

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

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

ANIT - Press conference on animal welfare during transport

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

ANIT Committee meeting

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

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

ANIT Committee - Public hearing on Responsibilities of transport operators and other private stakeholders

ANIT Committee - Public hearing on ' Transport of Live Animals to Third Countries '

Constitutive meeting of 5 new Special Committees - Inquiry on animal transport (ANIT)

Press conference on ' EFSA & Agriculture Committee: Cooperation on Animal Welfare '

Visit to Veeweyde, Animal Protection Society

Plenary session - Protection of animals during transport within and outside the EU

Plenary session week 06 2018 - Manipulation of scientific research by multinationals in the wake of the emission tests on monkeys and humans by the German car industry

Cruelty Free International

Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN (EPP, FI), co-rapporteur, Miriam DALLI (S&D, MT), Eleonora EVI (EFDD, IT) and Stefan ECK (GUE/NGL, DE) give a press conference on the global ban on animal testing.

Press conference by Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN (EPP, FI), co-rapporteur, Miriam DALLI (S&D, MT), Eleonora EVI (EFDD, IT) and Stefan ECK (GUE/NGL,DE) on the global ban on animal testing

During the EP plenary session (2-3 May 2018) in Brussels, MEPs debate on the global ban on animal testing for cosmetics: extracts from the debate (02/05) and from the vote; illustration shots.

A global ban on animal testing for cosmetics: extracts from the debate (02/05) and from the vote; illustration shots

&lt;p>This infoclip illustrates the use of cosmetics. A young woman puts on her makeup in front of a mirror. A client tries different types of cosmetics in a perfume chain. A woman is having make-up by a make-up artist.&lt;/p>

Infoclip: Nanomaterials in cosmetic

In the EP in Brussels, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) vote on a draft resolution calling on the Council and European Commission to achieve a global ban on cosmetics testing on animals. Such a ban is already in force in the EU, but around 80 % of the world’s countries still allow animal testing and the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals. Adina-Ioana VĂLEAN, Chair of the EP ENVI Committee opens the vote, the results are: 63 in favour and 1 abstention. Illustration shots of mice laboratory in Brussels, Belgium, with mice in boxes and a veterinary.

Global end to animal testing for cosmetics: extracts from the vote and illustrative shots

During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss on the manipulation of scientific research by multinationals in the wake of the emission tests on monkeys and humans by the German car industry. Statements by Elżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA, Member of the EC in charge of Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs , Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D, BE), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL) and Miriam DALLI (S&D, MT).

Manipulation of scientific research by multinationals in the wake of the emission tests on monkeys and humans by the German car industry: extracts from the debate

This infoclip illustrates poultry meat processing Source: European Council

Infoclip: Poultry meat processing

During the plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the report by Karin KADENBACH (S&amp;D, AT) concerning the Draft plans to tighten up official food inspections, from farm to fork, . The legislation, already informally agreed by MEPs and the Council, aims to improve food traceability, combat fraud and restore consumer trust in the integrity of the food chain. Statements by Karin KADENBACH (S&amp;D, AT), Rapporteur, Pilar AYUSO (EPP, ES), Daciana Octavia SARBU (S&amp;D, RO), Julie GIRLING (ECR, UK)and Jasenko SELIMOVIC (ALDE, SE).

Food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products: extracts from the debate

This stockshot illustrates a mice laboratory in Brussels, Belgium, with mice in boxes and a veterinary surgeon making a vasectomy on a mouse.

Infoclip: Animal welfare - Animal testing

This infoclip illustrates the weighing with electronic scales, loading and transport of piglets.

Infoclip: Animal Welfare - Transport of live animals

Jane GOODALL, British primatologist, ethologist and anthropologist is invited by Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN (ALDE, DE), EP Vice president, to address school children to raise awareness on animal and environmental protection, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Animal and environmental protection: statements by Jane GOODALL, British primatologist, ethologist and anthropologist and extracts of her address to school children

Jerzy BUZEK, EP President and Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian State Secretary for European Affairs, sign various legislative acts in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Lex signing ceremony in presence of Jerzy BUZEK, EP President and Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian State Secretary for European Affairs: extracts

During the plenary session of the EUropaen Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

Protection of animals used for scientific purposes: extract from the debate

In Strasbourg, throughout the week of the 1990 May's session, a large blue inflatable whale graced the lawn in front of parliament. It was the brainchild of the environmental group Greenpeace, who were seeking to raise awareness of environmental issues in general and of course, the fate of the whale for survival. For the complete archives please contact medialibrary@europarl.europa.eu

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