Animal welfare will be handled by a lawyer and politician by profession. In the previous term of the EP, he served as Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.
The campaign to appoint a Commissioner for Animal Welfare began in 2021. Last year, the action gained more support among MEPs and European citizens. The petition was signed by 208 MEPs in the outgoing Parliament, around half of whom are MEPs in the new Parliament.
New EU Commissioner at the request of a handful of citizens
In turn, in the area of EU citizens' voice, 310 thousand signatures were collected. Considering that the EU has 449.2 million inhabitants, this means that the choice of the Commissioner for Well-being was in practice forced through by a handful of EU citizens.
The campaign was led by Eurogroup for Animals and GAIA. More than 60 animal welfare organisations supported the campaign to appoint a new Commissioner.
Animal welfare will remain at DG Sante
Animal health and welfare is not returning to DG Agri, it remains in the competence of DG Sante. As it is explained, because human and animal health are now closely linked. The law related to animal health and welfare is to be reviewed by the new commissioner.
Well-being an important point in the Strategic Dialogue
The Strategic Dialogue, which is to be the starting point for further discussions on the shape of future agriculture, also emphasises the need to raise welfare standards. According to the Dialogue report, a review of outdated animal welfare regulations is necessary, as well as a new regulatory framework for an EU-wide animal welfare labelling system.
The report also suggests that the future EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should promote "positive social, environmental and animal welfare outcomes".
A major review of animal welfare is coming
In practice, we can expect a strong review of the law by the new commissioner, relating to the transport of animals over long distances, maritime transport, slaughter and stunning of animals, keeping animals in pens and cages.