EU to appoint its first commissioner for animal welfare in a historic move
For the first time in the history of the EU, there will be a dedicated role for animal welfare – the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. This significant change responds to growing demands from citizens and organisations advocating for enhanced protections for animals across Europe. Hungarian politician Olivér Várhelyi has been nominated for this position, pending approval by the European Parliament in the coming weeks.
A turning point for EU animal welfare policy
The appointment of a dedicated Commissioner for Animal Welfare marks a transformative shift in the EU’s approach to protecting animals. Since 1974, the EU has achieved significant milestones, such as banning conventional battery cages for hens and prohibiting cages for pregnant pigs meaning these animals have slightly more space. Whilst improvements to cages or cage-free does not mean cruelty free, this was a significant step in the right direction. Despite these advances, progress has recently stalled due to the overpowering influence of the animal agriculture industry, which often prioritises its financial and operational interests over the welfare of farmed animals in intensive systems across Europe.
While farming animals is never acceptable, this new role is a pivotal change. By placing animal welfare under the Commissioner for Health rather than Agriculture, the EU is recognising it as a critical issue in and of itself, moving away from the narrow focus of industry concerns.
At Animal Equality, we hope this development will lead to more effective representation of animal welfare interests in EU policy discussions and drive the much-needed overhaul of outdated legislation. The new Commissioner, and their future successors, will be essential in advancing these reforms, ensuring that animal welfare is integrated into EU policies and that the influence of profit-driven practices is effectively countered.
Years in the making
This historic appointment is the result of a long-term campaign led by animal protection organisations across Europe. Launched in March 2021 by the Belgian organisation GAIA, the #EUforAnimals campaign called for the appointment of a dedicated Animal Welfare Commissioner. Supported by Animal Equality and 60 other organisations, the campaign gathered around 310,000 signatures from citizens and received backing from over 200 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
In October 2023, the petition was formally submitted to the European Parliament and the European Commission, marking a key moment for the campaign. Recent Eurobarometer survey results further underscore the public’s support, with 84% of Europeans believing that the welfare of farmed animals should be better protected in their country than it is now.
Why this matters for the UK
Animal Equality’s undercover investigations across both the EU and the UK have repeatedly exposed farmers violating animal welfare laws – pigs having their tails cut off, birds with their beaks painfully ‘trimmed’, and cows suffering from lameness. This ongoing mistreatment highlights the urgent need for more oversight.
Having an EU Commissioner specifically dedicated to animal welfare could bring about more scrutiny of agricultural practices and better enforcement of laws across the 27 member states. This change would not only benefit animals within the EU but could also inspire the UK Government to introduce a similar position.
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