EU Commissioner: Animal Welfare in a Title for the First Time

Animal welfare will be included in the title of the new Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, President Ursula von der Leyen announced as she revealed the structure and candidates of the new College.

The long-standing demand of numerous animal welfare organisations for a dedicated Commissioner for Animal Welfare had become a reality on Tuesday.

Hungarian Olivér Várhelyi was nominated for this role, subject to his confirmation at the hearing in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.

It is to be welcomed that responsibility for animal welfare remains with DG SANTE, in order to ensure a One Health approach that recognises the interrelationship between animal welfare, public health, and the environment.

The call for a Commissioner for Animal Welfare aligns with the collective voice of 310’000 citizens. The new Commissioner will play a decisive role in ensuring that the promised revision of the outdated EU animal welfare legislation is implemented.

The work of the new Commissioner for Animal Welfare will also be closely linked to that of other Commissioners — including that of the Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, who is expected to “breathe life into the report and recommendations of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture.” The report explicitly recommends a revision of animal welfare legislation by 2026 as well as a transition to cage-free systems.

This also includes close cooperation with Commissioners responsible for, among other things, fisheries, trade, and the environment, in order to ensure ambitious EU legislation that guarantees high animal welfare standards across all relevant areas.

It is encouraging to see that the new Commission is finally heeding the demands of citizens who have repeatedly called for better EU legislation to protect animal welfare. The inclusion of the term “animal welfare” in the title will ensure that this issue is given priority in all relevant discussions, and we expect the revision of animal welfare regulations to be treated as the first dossier. – Reineke Hameleers, Executive Director, Eurogroup for Animals

The establishment of a dedicated Commission for Animal Welfare will help ensure that animal welfare is given the priority it deserves and that is long overdue.

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose compassion on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.