Farm Animals - Legislation in force


Animal Testing  - Legislation in force

Animal Welfare during Transport - Legislation in force

Animals kept for Farming Purposes - Legislation in force 

Animal welfare at the time of Slaughter or Killing  - Legislation in force 

Companion (pet) Animals - NON Animal Welfare - EU Action Plan, Evaluation and the Second Strategy on Animal Welfare
 The EU and animal welfare: policy objectives The European Commission's activities in this area start with the recognition that animals are sentient beings. The general aim is to ensure that animals do not endure avoidable pain or suffering, and obliges the owner/keeper of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements.

Title II of TFEU lists some key principles the Union should respect. Here an Article 13 has been introduced with the Lisbon Treaty. It states that: "In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall,

  • since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage."
The Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on the 1st of December 2009 amends the current founding treaties, i.e. the Treaty on European Union (EU Treaty), which will retain its name; and the Treaty Establishing the European Community (EC Treaty), which will be renamed as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).


Title II of TFEU lists some key principles the Union should respect. Here an Article 13 has been introduced with the Lisbon Treaty. It states that:

  • "In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage."
This puts animal welfare on equal footing with other key principles mentioned in the same title i.e.

  • promote gender equality, guarantee social protection, protect human health, combat discrimination, promote sustainable development, ensure consumer protection, protect personal data.
It needs, however, to be noted that the European Union operates under the principles of conferred competences and subsidiarity.

  • so competences not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties remain with the Member States and under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas that do not fall within its exclusive competence,
  • the Union shall act only if and in so far as the objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States (Article 1, 4 and 5 of the EU Treaty).
  • As a consequence certain topics of animal protection remain under the responsibility of the Member States e.g. the use of animals in:
  1. competitions
  2. shows
  3. cultural
  4. sporting events
  5. the management of stray dogs

The Treaty of Lisbon The Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on the 1st of December 2009 amends the current founding treaties, i.e. the Treaty on European Union (EU Treaty), which will retain its name; and the Treaty Establishing the European Community (EC Treaty), which will be renamed as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
Title II of TFEU lists some key principles the Union should respect.

Here an Article 13 has been introduced with the Lisbon Treaty. It states that: "In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage."

Treaty of Lisbon - information

Animal Welfare main Community legislative references Declaration - adopted Written Declaration pursuant to Rule 123 of the Rules of Procedure on dog population management in the European Union 0026/2011)

The voting of the Declaration in the Parliament

European Parliament - plenary

European Parliament - information

European Parliament - MEPs