The new EU Commission will include a Commissioner dedicated to Animal Welfare, a move “very positively” welcomed by animal protection NGOs.
They say it will allow for
“better prioritisation of the topic, in line with the demands of EU citizens.”
Animal welfare will be included in the title of the new Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, says President Ursula von der Leyen.
Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi has been nominated to take this role, subject to his approval in the parliamentary hearing in the next few weeks.
Reineke Hameleers, CEO, of Eurogroup for Animals, said,
“It is welcome to see that the competence of Animal welfare remains under DG SANTE, ensuring a One Health approach that acknowledges the interlink between animal welfare, public health and the environment.”
The group asked for a Commissioner dedicated to Animal welfare and it says this aligns with the “collective voice” of 310,000 citizens and over 200 MEPs in the 2019-24 term of the Parliament, and over 100 MEPs in its campaign.
The group says the new Commissioner will be
“crucial in ensuring the delivery of the promised revision of the outdated EU animal welfare legislation.”
The work of the new Commissioner responsible for Animal welfare will also “greatly” interlink with that of other Commissioners – including that of a nominee for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, who is expected to
“bring to life the report and recommendations of 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.
It will also include working closely with the Commissioners responsible for Fisheries, Trade and Environment, among others, to ensure ambitious EU legislation that ensures high animal welfare standards in all relevant areas.
