The European Commission has published the executive summary of the public consultation on the modernisation of EU rules on animal welfare on the farm. The consultation ran from 19 September 2025 to 17 December 2025 and forms part of the wider review of existing EU animal welfare legislation.
In total, more than 190,000 responses were received, of which approximately 99% were from members of the public. The results show broad support for a transition to cage-free farming systems. Respondents also express clear support for equivalent animal welfare standards for imported products from non-EU countries, so that the bar is not only raised higher in Europe, but is also applied more fairly in international competition.
Businesses, trade associations and other stakeholders in the supply chain particularly emphasise the importance of further harmonisation. They argue that clearer and more consistently applied EU rules on on-farm animal welfare can help create a level playing field for farmers across Member States. The use of animal welfare indicators is also widely seen as a relevant tool for demonstrably improving welfare on farms. Furthermore, the systematic culling of day-old male chicks is considered ethically problematic by many respondents.
For livestock farmers, slaughterhouses and retailers, this is primarily a sign that the focus of the debate is shifting from intention to demonstrable evidence. For livestock farmers, this may mean that investment decisions regarding housing and management will come under scrutiny more quickly. For slaughterhouses, it may have implications for supply chain agreements, verification and specifications for customers, including data requirements regarding husbandry systems and welfare indicators. For retailers, this could lead to stricter procurement conditions and a stronger focus on import requirements if the EU does indeed move towards “equivalent standards”.
The Commission states that the results will be taken into account in its future policy work over the coming months. This is in line with the broader framework of the Vision for Agriculture and Food, which also explicitly highlights workability, market conditions and feasibility within the supply chain.
Source: European Commission – factual summary report on the public consultation on the “modernisation of EU rules for on-farm animal welfare” (consultation period: 19 September 2025 to 17 December 2025) and the communication on the Vision for Agriculture and Food.
