Special Newsletter: Recent Developments in EU Animal Law and Policy

2019–2024 in Review

Dear subscribers and supporters,

We are thrilled to share an exciting new development: the official launch of our publication series titled “EU Animal Law in Review,” which will summarize recent advancements in EU animal law.

Our inaugural publication in this series is a five-year review of EU animal law, highlighting the most significant developments from 2019 to 2024 at both EU level and within the 27 EU Member States. This review comes at a pivotal moment, following the appointment of new Commissioners to the European Commission in December of last year and just days after President Ursula von der Leyen presented her work program for the next four years. This shift in administration presents a timely opportunity to reflect on the progress and changes in animal law and policy throughout the European Commission’s past mandate.

Starting in 2026, we will release annual reviews to provide animal advocates in the EU and globally with a unique resource, summarizing the positive strides made by our movement for animals, as well as the ongoing challenges faced in legislatures and courts.

This publication is the result of careful monitoring by animal law and policy specialists, who are diligent in cross-checking information with primary sources, before compiling and summarizing information in a digestible way. Overall, this publication series will develop and progress as the Institute grows its presence in each EU Member State. The editors would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hugo Marro-Menotti, Angie van Dijk, and Joren Vuylsteke for their important contributions to this first edition.

While the new political dynamics in the EU do not appear favorable to animals, we hope you will find this first edition informative and invigorating, full of reasons for optimism, as advocates have achieved key wins across the EU over the past five years, often overcoming challenging political environments.