The Role and Importance of Animal Welfare in the European Union

flaminiavisionfact
37 minutes ago
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Author: Dóra Fekete

Animal welfare in the European Union has gradually developed over recent decades from a peripheral issue into a central and high-priority area of public policy. While in the past regulations concerning animals were primarily guided only by economic, agricultural, or food safety considerations, today the principle that animals are sentient beings whose welfare deserves independent protection has become increasingly prominent. The animal welfare policy of the European Union clearly reflects this shift in perspective, according to which the treatment of animals is not merely an ethical issue, but also a legal and social responsibility.

The Theoretical Foundations of Animal Welfare in the EU

One of the most important legal foundations of animal welfare in Europe is the provision attached to the Treaty of Lisbon, which states that animals are “sentient beings.” This approach breaks with the earlier conception that treated animals exclusively as property. Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union requires the Union and the Member States, when formulating and implementing policies, to fully take into account the requirements relating to animal welfare. This principle does not mean that animal welfare would take precedence over all other interests; however, it does mean that animal suffering cannot in any way be regarded as a secondary consequence. The legislation of the European Union therefore continuously reflects a search for balance between economic interests, cultural traditions, and modern, animal welfare-oriented considerations.

The Regulatory System of Animal Welfare in the European Union

The animal welfare legislation of the European Union primarily appears in the form of directives and regulations, which lay down binding minimum standards for the Member States. These rules cover several areas, in particular the keeping of farm animals, the transport of animals, the conditions of slaughter, as well as the protection of animals used in scientific experiments.

A colorful rooster and hen stand on brown soil. The rooster has vibrant red and orange feathers, while the hen is light brown. Lush greenery in the background.

In the case of agricultural farm animals, certain legal provisions apply, for example, to the cage housing of laying hens, the group housing of pigs, and the conditions under which calves are kept. The aim of these provisions is to reduce animal suffering to the greatest possible extent within intensive farming systems, even if the logic of economic production continues to be dominant.

With regard to the slaughter of animals, EU rules prescribe the obligation of stunning, the main purpose of which is the minimisation of pain and stress. Although certain religious exemptions exist, the general principle is clearly aimed at reducing animal suffering.

Animal Experiments and Ethical Dilemmas

The regulation of animal experiments is a particularly sensitive area. In this field, the EU requires the application of the so-called “3R principle” (replacement, reduction, refinement), meaning the replacement of animal experiments, the reduction of their number, and the refinement of the methods used. The aim of EU regulation is not the immediate and complete abolition of animal experiments, but rather to ensure that they may only take place when no other scientific alternative exists. A significant step forward was the EU-wide ban on the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals. This was not only a legal development, but also a symbolic one, clearly signalling that the Union is willing to sacrifice economic interests for the sake of animal welfare.

Problems in the Implementation of Animal Welfare

Although the legal framework of the European Union is relatively well developed, practical implementation often shows shortcomings. Animal welfare is typically a shared competence: the EU adopts the rules, but their enforcement is the responsibility of the Member States. This results in significant differences in practice between countries.

A herd of brown and white cows grazing in a lush green pasture with trees in the background under a cloudy sky.

Some Member States strictly inspect animal-keeping facilities and sanction violations, while in others inspections are irregular or merely formal. This not only endangers animal welfare, but can also distort the functioning of the internal market, as countries applying looser regulation may gain a competitive advantage.

Animal Welfare and Changing Social Attitudes

EU animal welfare policy is not independent of changes in societal attitudes. Citizens’ initiatives, civil organisations, and campaigns exert increasing pressure on EU institutions. The European Citizens’ Initiative called “End the Cage Age,” for example, launched a concrete legislative process aimed at the gradual elimination of cage-based animal husbandry. In this process, the European Commission plays a key role by developing legislative proposals, while the European Parliament often acts as a political forum advocating the strengthening of animal protection. The uniform interpretation of EU law is ultimately ensured by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Conclusion

Animal welfare in the European Union is no longer a marginal or purely moral issue, but an independent field of legal and policy-making activity. EU regulation recognises animals as sentient beings and seeks to transform this recognition into concrete legal obligations. Although the system is not flawless and implementation is often uneven, the EU can be regarded at the global level as one of the most progressive actors in the field of animal welfare. The development of animal welfare also demonstrates how the European Union is able to respond to changes in social values. The treatment of animals is no longer merely a question of economic rationality, but an important indicator of the human- and nature-centred approach of the European legal order.