The year 2025 marked the beginning of the mandate of Europe’s first-ever Commissioner for Animal Welfare. Hopes were high, and while some meaningful progress was made, many essential outcomes are still awaited.
This comes at a time when Europe is facing a profound animal welfare challenge. Although the EU often positions itself as a global leader in animal protection, the lived reality for animals tells a different story. Every year, more than 2 billion farmed animals are raised without sufficient safeguards, approximately 8.4 million animals are used in scientific research, around 7.7 million are kept on fur farms, and millions of wild animals are traded across borders. These figures highlight a stark disconnect between policy ambitions and on-the-ground conditions. Still, 2025 offered important developments worth recognising, as well as clear opportunities for the year ahead.
A historic step forward for dogs and cats
One of the most significant achievements of 2025 was the adoption of the EU’s first legislation dedicated to the protection of dogs and cats. For the first time, compulsory identification and registration will be introduced, breeders and sellers will be subject to far stricter rules, and harmful extreme breeding practices will be prohibited.
Crucially, the regulation embeds the principle of positive welfare, grounded in the Five Domains model, and introduces EU-wide requirements for the importation of dogs and cats. This marks a fundamental shift in how companion animals are protected across the Union.
Renewed momentum to end cages for farm animals
Support for banning cages in farming continued to grow throughout the year. After previous delays, the European Commission reopened the process through a public consultation. Public engagement reached unprecedented levels, with more than 200,000 responses—over three times the number submitted in 2023. This level of participation sends a powerful message that citizens expect decisive action.
However, concern remains that revised farm animal welfare legislation was excluded from the Commission’s 2026 Work Programme. While assurances have been given that a proposal should still arrive by the end of 2026, sustained pressure will be essential to ensure delivery.
Advancing the transition away from animal testing
Progress was also made in the area of animals used in science. The Commission continued work on its first roadmap to phase out animal use in chemical safety testing, which is expected to be published next year. Political and scientific backing for this transition remains strong, and its implementation would represent a major breakthrough.
In parallel, the new Research Area Action has the potential to support Member States in accelerating the uptake of non-animal methods in research and testing.
Wild animals and the push for a Positive List
In 2025, the European Parliament reaffirmed—on two occasions—its support for an EU-wide Positive List for wild animals. This approach remains the most effective way to curb the large-scale trade in exotic species. As the Commission prepares to finalise its feasibility study, expectations are high that growing pressure from civil society, Parliament and the Council will finally translate into action in the coming year.
Live animal transport: slow progress, urgent need
Reform of the Transport Regulation continues to face serious obstacles and is advancing at an unacceptably slow pace, despite repeated and deeply distressing incidents across Europe. Many political positions increasingly clash with public opinion and established scientific evidence. In 2026, efforts will continue to demonstrate the overwhelming public demand for reform and to push decision-makers to finally end the suffering caused by long-distance animal transport.
Fur Free Europe: a turning point approaching
In 2026, the Commission is expected to respond to the European Citizens’ Initiative Fur Free Europe. A report published in 2025 once again confirmed that the fur sector is in rapid and irreversible decline, with an economic footprint now comparable to outdated industries such as VHS rentals. Given the strong public backing, the serious ethical, environmental and public health concerns, and the industry’s lack of future viability, there is no sound justification for delaying a full ban on fur farming and imports.
Nevertheless, worrying signals suggest the Commission may be considering a so-called “higher welfare” alternative—an approach that fails to address the inherent cruelty of fur farming. In the year ahead, advocacy efforts will focus firmly on the only credible, evidence-based solution: a complete EU-wide ban.
A critical year ahead
Meaningful improvements for animals can only be achieved through strong legislation. Progress is often slow—after all, it took two decades to secure EU-wide protection for dogs and cats. But 2026 will be pivotal for millions of animals across the EU and a defining test of leadership for the Commissioner for Animal Welfare.
The challenge now is to turn the momentum of 2025 into concrete action. The coming year must deliver real change.