November 2024 Newsletter – The Hearings of Commissioner-Designates Before the European Parliament
Welcome to the November edition of the European Institute for Animal Law & Policy's newsletter!
Greetings to our readers in Europe and around the world,
We would like to begin this edition of the newsletter on a positive note, by reporting that the Romanian Parliament has voted to ban fur farming. Thanks to the tireless work of animal advocates there, Romania now becomes the 16th EU country to ban fur farming.
While we applaud this positive step for animals in Romania, our hearts are heavy due to the disastrous flooding in Spain, where human and non-human inhabitants of Valencia, Murcia, Alicante, and other affected areas begin to recover. PACMA, the Spanish Animalist Party, has launched a series of urgent appeals to help affected animal shelters across the region. Learn more about this developing situation here.
In this edition of the newsletter:
Updates from the Institute
Commissioner-Designates Hearings in the European Parliament
Animal Law News
EU
Member States
International Law
Events
Job Postings
Publications
Updates from the Institute
Events
On October 8th, the Institute and the Jeremy Coller Foundation co-hosted an event in London on the topic of “A New UK Government Shaping the Future of Sustainable and Animal-Friendly Systems.” The event gathered more than 50 participants in the UK animal, food, and environmental law and policy space, and facilitated a fruitful discussion about future opportunities to achieve a more just food system in the UK.
On October 30th, the Institute’s Director of Advocacy, Olga Kikou, presented on EU farm animal welfare policy developments to Animal Welfare Food Community Japan.
On October 22nd, Olga Kikou was at the FAO’s United Nations Committee on World Food Security in Rome to represent animals’ interests in food security and right-to-food discussions. Olga also took part in discussions about the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) for a Right to Food at Rome’s City Hall (Campidoglio), during an event organized by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. There, she shared her insights about the potential benefits a Right to Food ECI might bring for animals, humans, and the environment.
On October 11th, our Chief Legal Adviser, Alice Di Concetto, gave a presentation on the laws impacting farmed animals in France and the EU at a webinar hosted by the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA). You can watch a replay of the webinar here.
On October 4th, in honor of Ocean Week, Alice Di Concetto presented on “Developing Supportive Policies and Regulations to End Whaling in Europe” at a webinar hosted by the Stop The Grind Coalition. The event was co-organized by the Institute, Sea Shepherd Global, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation. You can watch a replay of the webinar here.
On September 25th, Alice Di Concetto presented on recent developments and prospective change in EU animal law and policy at the Dutch Animal Law Society Conference (online).
Publications
Institute Policy Adviser Gabriela Kubíková is the author of the newly published book Dobré životní podmínky hospodářských zvířat v právu Evropské unie (“The Welfare of Farmed Animals in EU Law”), available through Wolters Kluwer (in Czech). This book is based on Gabriela’s PhD thesis in law, which she completed at Charles University in Prague, Czechia. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Gabriela for this outstanding professional achievement!
Olga Kikou authored an article on the outsized influence of factory farming lobbyists on EU policy-making in Faunalytics.
We’re hiring!
We are looking for a Communications Specialist to help advance our mission to protect animals in the EU. If you have 3+ years of relevant experience, excellent verbal and written communications skills, a passion for animal protection, and event organization abilities, we would be delighted to hear from you. For more information, please visit our job announcement. Applications are due by November 8th.
Commissioner-Designates Hearings in the European Parliament
On September 17th, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the composition of the next College of Commissioners. She proposed a list of prospective commissioners to head all 33 Directorates-General (DGs) of the European Commission.
The College of Commissioners consists of 20 Commissioners and six Vice Presidents. This body serves as the equivalent of the EU government, with each Commissioner functioning similarly to ministers at national level. Consequently, the composition of the College is crucial in determining policy orientations of the Commission. However, the composition of the new European Commission appears more complex than the previous one, with an increase in the number of Vice Presidents, each of whom will assume office with unclear competencies.
Upcoming Hearings
The Commissioners designated by President von der Leyen must be approved by the European Parliament following confirmation hearings. These confirmation hearings of Commissioner-designates will take place over the next few days, until November 12th.
The hearings particularly relevant to animal advocacy topics are:
The hearing of Commissioner-designate for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič’s, which took place on November 4th. During his hearing, Maroš Šefčovič did not make any explicit commitments to animal protection issues.
The hearing of Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, which took place on November 4th. He did not make any explicit commitments regarding animal welfare or food transition.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner-designate for Fisheries and Oceans, slated for November 6th at 2:30pm.
Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, slated for November 6th, at 6:30pm.
We anticipate that all Commissioner-designates will be approved, barring any unexpected changes.
A Challenging Term Ahead
To date, the European Commission has indicated it will not prioritize animal protection issues in the upcoming term. The Strategic Dialogue has confirmed a delay in the revision of farm animal welfare legislation. (More details about the Strategic Dialogue can be found in the previous edition of our newsletter).
Additionally, President von der Leyen only vaguely referenced animal protection issues in her mission letters to the Commissioner-designates. These letters outline the topics the President expects the Commissioners to focus on over the next five years. For instance, in her letter to Commissioner-Designate Olivier Várhelyi, President von der Leyen only vaguely stated that he should “[build] upon the existing animal welfare legislation” to “modernize the rules on animal welfare, including on the import of exotic animals, standards while addressing sustainability, ethical, scientific and economic considerations, and citizens expectations.” The President thus made no explicit mention of the necessity to revise EU farm animal welfare entirely, despite her commitments under the Farm-to-Fork Strategy adopted in 2020 and the European Commission’s conclusions from its evaluation of the legislation, published in 2022.
We will continue to pressure the Commission in the coming weeks, which will be critical to ensuring that its work program includes stronger provisions on animal protection. Specifically, the Institute aims to influence the content of President von der Leyen’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture, a policy document she committed to publish within the first 100 days of the new Commission’s term.
Animal Law News
Animal Law News in the EU
🇪🇺 EU
📝 New Laws
Farm Animals (EU School Scheme for Milk): The Commission adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2596, which updates the definitive allocation of EU funding to Member States for the distribution of fruits, vegetables, and milk, for the period from August 2023 to July 2024.
⚖️ Rulings
Food Law (Plant-Based Denominations): On October 4th, in ruling C–438/23, the Court of Justice of the EU determined that Member States cannot prohibit the use of terms traditionally linked to animal-based products for labeling products containing vegetable proteins – unless specifically restricted by EU law.
🔴 Infringement Procedures
Wild Animals (Habitats): The European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion (INFR(2021)2260) to Latvia for failing to bring its national legislation in line with the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC). Specifically, the Commission urges Latvia to comply with the provisions regarding the monitoring of incidental capture and killing of strictly protected species, considering that Latvia had incorrectly transposed species protection provisions and the granting of derogations laid down by the Habitats Directive in relation to the Eurasian lynx.
Wild Animals (Habitats): The European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion to Romania (INFR(2020)2297) for failing to fully transpose the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) into national law. Specifically, the Commission urges Romania to explicitly state that the conservation measures outlined in management plans must consider the ecological requirements of the natural habitat types and species present on the sites. Furthermore, the Commission advises Romania to expand the scope of provisions related to activities in Natura 2000 sites to encompass causes of deterioration or disturbance originating outside these sites.
Other News
Farm Animals: On October 24th, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Croatia arrested nine citizens suspected of committing multi-million euro subsidy fraud in pig farming. The suspects allegedly defrauded over €9 million in CAP funds intended for improving animal welfare in the pig sector.
Transparency: On September 16th, the European Ombudsman has launched an inquiry following serious concerns raised by the NGOs ClientEarth and BirdLife regarding the Commission’s preparation of a proposal to amend legislation related to the Common Agricultural Policy, which was made without conducting an impact assessment, in violation of the Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox, as well as with case law. The Commission is required to respond by December 16th.
Wild Animals (Wolves): On September 26th, the Council of the EU adopted a decision to submit, on behalf of the EU, a proposal to amend the conservation status of wolves from strictly protected fauna species to protected fauna species. The EU will present this proposal at the upcoming meeting of the Standing Committee to the Bern Convention.
Farm and Wild Animals (Deforestation): On October 2nd, the European Commission proposed delaying the implementation of the Deforestation Regulation (Regulation 2023/1115).
Wild Animals (Birds): On October 16th, Sweden submitted a note in the Council of the EU pushing to weaken the protection of cormorants and seals. This proposal, aimed at preserving fishing opportunities for commercial boats, would prioritize industry interests over marine conservation.
Member States
📝 New Laws
🇷🇴 Romania – Farm Animals (Fur): On October 23rd, Romania adopted a law banning fur farming by 2027, becoming the 16th EU Member State to ban fur farming in national law.
⚖️ Rulings
🇫🇷 France - Wild Animals (Hunting): On October 18th, the Conseil d’État, France’s Highest Administrative Court, ruled to suspend authorizations for hunting the rock ptarmigan bird. The decision was based on the French constitutional right to a healthy environment, which could pave the way for additional hunting prohibitions.
🇫🇷 France – Wild Animals (Hunting): On October 18th, France’s Constitutional Court upheld the constitutionality of laws that restrict the building of fences in natural areas.
Other News
🇫🇷 France – Bullfighting: The French Legislature will discuss a bill aiming to ban bullfighting and cockfighting in the presence of children under sixteen.
🇫🇷 France – Wild Animals (Aquatic Animals): Two nonprofits, Bloom and ClientEarth, filed a lawsuit against the French authorities, alleging France is in violation of Regulation 1967/2006 Concerning Management Measures for the Sustainable Exploitation of Fishery Resources in the Mediterranean Sea. This legal action aims to limit bottom trawling in marine protected areas of the Mediterranean.
🇪🇸 Spain – Wild Animals (Aquatic Animals): Oceana and ClientEarth filed a lawsuit against Spain over bottom trawling in protected marine areas, arguing that this practice violates the Habitats Directive and Regulation 1967/2006 Concerning Management Measures for the Sustainable Exploitation of Fishery Resources in the Mediterranean Sea.
🌏 International Law
📝 New Laws
🇺🇸 USA (California) – Farm Animals (Aquatic Animals): On September 27th, the Governor of California signed the California Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act into law, which prohibits octopus farming and the sales of commercially-farmed octopus across the state. California is the second state in the US to ban such farming and sales, after Washington state.
Other News
🇧🇷 Brazil – Animal Testing: On October 29th, the Brazilian Legislature adopted a law on the registration and management of chemical substances, as well as on limiting animal testing to last-resort use only. The text still needs to be signed into law by the President.
🇬🇧 UK – Farmed Animals (Fur): The UK Parliament is discussing the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill, which would ban the sale of fur products in the UK.
Events
Law & Policy
Webinar – Blue Crimes and the Impact on Aquatic Animals, American Bar Association (ABA), November 25th, online. Learn more.
Conference – VII Congrés CPDA ICAB: Drets Animals i desafiaments globals actuals, Il·lustre Col·legi de l'Advocacia de Barcelona November 14th – 15th, Barcelona (in Catalan). Learn more.
Academia
Webinar – Lane-Petter’s Pipeline: Why Decreasing Animal Research Takes More Than Replacements, Helsinki Animal Law Center, November 6th, hybrid. Learn more.
Webinar – The Use of Sentience in Legal Advocacy, George Washington Law School Animal Law & Science Webinar Series, November 18th, online. Learn more.
Webinar – One Health Aspects of Human Companion-Animal Bond, Una Europa, November 22nd, online (in French, English, and Italian). Learn more.
Roundtable – Animal Welfare and Law & Economics, Paris Pantheon-Assas Law School, December 12nd, in Paris. Learn more.
Webinar – Animal Dignity: A New Approach to Creating a Consistent Human-Animal Relationship in Law, December 18th, hybrid. Learn more.
Conference – Defund Meat Conference, Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, January 16th – 17th 2025, Heidelberg, Germany. Learn more.
Online Lecture – Eroding Boundaries Between Humans and Animals and Their Legal Implications by Prof. Margot Michel, University of Victoria, January 21st 2025, online. Learn more.
Conference – Harms and Freedoms: Captivity, Natural Habitats, and Sanctuary, the Animal Legal Education Initiative (ALEI) at The George Washington University Law, April 3rd – 5th 2025, Washing DC (USA). Learn more.
Conference – International Wildlife Conference, April 8th – 9th 2025, Gulfport, Florida (USA). Learn more.
Conference – The Legal Distinction Between Persons and Things: Changing Perspectives, University of Antwerp, July 7th – 8th 2025, Antwerp (Belgium). Learn more.
Job Posting
The European Institute for Animal Law & Policy is hiring a Communications Specialist! This role is crucial for advancing our mission to protect animals in the EU. If you have 3+ years of relevant experience, excellent verbal and written communications skills, a passion for animal protection, and event organization abilities, we would be delighted to hear from you. For more information, please visit our job announcement. Applications are due by November 8th, 2024.
Publications
Law and Policy
European Commission, Joint Research Center, Closing the EU Protein Gap: Drivers, Synergies and Trade-Offs (2024).
European Commission, Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy (2024).
European Court of Auditors, Special Report 20/2024: Common Agricultural Policy Plans – Greener, But Not Matching the EU’s Ambitions for the Climate and the Environment (2024).
European Court of Auditors, Special Report 19/2024: Organic Farming in the EU – Gaps and Inconsistencies Hamper the Success of the Policy (2024).
Academia
Vanja Bajović and Ivana Marković, Pravna zaštita životinja: U susret izmenama i dopunama zakona o dobrobiti životinja, Univerziteta u Beogradu (2024) (in Serbian).
Sanne K. Djojosoeparto et al., Harnessing The Potential Of Public Procurement For The Protein Transition – Perceived Barriers And Facilitators, Agriculture and Human Values (2024).
Gwen Hunnicutt, Richard Twine, Kenneth Mentor (eds.), Violence and Harm in the Animal Industrial Complex: Human-Animal Entanglements, Routledge (2025).
Jochen Krattenmacher et al., The Dublin Declaration: Gain for the Meat Industry, Loss for Science, Environmental Science & Policy (forthcoming, 2024).
Gabriela Kubíková, Dobré životní podmínky hospodářských zvířat v právu Evropské unie, Wolters Kluwer (2024) (in Czech).
Spencer Roberts et al, Feeding Global Aquaculture, Science Advances (2024).
Rebecca Williams, Looking to Livestock: Gauging the Evolution of the EU's Agri-Climate Law and Policy, Transnational Environmental Law (2024).
Environmental Rights Review, Special Issue #2: Animal Rights, edited by Iyan Offor.
NGOs
Aquatic Life Institute, 2024 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark: Aquatic Animal Welfare (2024).
Earthsight, Secret Ingredient: A Shocking Scandal in the Chicken We Eat and its Lessons for European Lawmakers (2024).
Calls for Contributions
The Stetson Law’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy is calling for papers to present at the 21st International Wildlife Law Conference, which will take place in Gulfport, Florida April 8th – 9th, 2025. Deadline to submit abstracts: November 30th. Learn more.
The Research Group Personal Rights & Property Rights (PR2) of the University of Antwerp is calling for papers to present at the conference, “The Legal Distinction Between Persons and Things: Changing Perspectives,” which will take place at the University of Antwerp on July 7th – 8th, 2025. Deadline to submit papers: December 15th. Learn more.
The Animal Legal Education Initiative (ALEI) at The George Washington University Law School is calling for submissions to present at its conference “Harms and Freedoms: Captivity, Natural Habitats, and Sanctuary a Conference on Advocacy, Scholarship, and Pedagogy,” which will take place in Washington DC on April 3rd – 5th 2025. Deadline to send submissions: December 15th. Learn more.
The Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics is calling for abstracts on the topic of “The Ethics of Captivity” for the centre’s 2025 Annual Summer School, which will take place in Oxford, UK on August 4 - 7th. Deadline to send abstracts: February 3rd, 2025. Learn more.