On 31 March 2025, the European Commission organised the 16th meeting of the European Platform on Animal Welfare, a dialogue forum launched in 2017 to coordinate actions in this field. It brings together representatives from Member States, European and international organisations, the scientific community, as well as EFSA.
During this session, the following topics were notably discussed:
- A focus on poultry farming: modernisation of the rules, digitalisation, and new welfare indicators;
- Animal welfare during transport, including an update on the European Parliament's work and the priorities of the Polish Presidency;
- Presentation of the "Vision for Agriculture and Food" and its implications for animal welfare;
- The European partnership on animal health and welfare;
- An initiative on the welfare of equines.
Poultry farming was highlighted by the European Commissioner for Health and animal Health, Olivér Várhelyi, as an example of a sector where “solutions that are both socially acceptable and economically viable” have been implemented.
In this context, the Commission announced the launch of a call for contributions in the first half of 2025, to respond to the End the Cage Age initiative and to update the legislation.
This announcement sparked mixed reactions: CIWF recalled that the impact assessment already carried out remains valid and that EFSA’s opinions must be taken into account. Conversely, the representative from EFFAB welcomed the willingness to deepen analyses before taking any decision affecting the livestock sector.