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sheep arriving at sale yards

Why imports should be included in EU animal welfare legislation

Morgane Speeckaert · 17.8.2023

As the EU prepares its new animal welfare laws, it must not forget an essential step: making sure that the rules apply to imported products.

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Bearded Dragon

Live Animal Transport: Different rules for different species

Aubrey Collins · 10.8.2023

EU rules for the protection of animals during transport make no differentiation between the needs of a rabbit or a lizard. It's time to change the rules.

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woman in meat section of supermarket

An animal welfare label that works for consumers

Morgane Speeckaert · 3.8.2023

An animal welfare label is a critical initiative that addresses the pressing ethical, environmental, and health concerns associated with animal agriculture.

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day-old male chicks

Systematic killing of male chicks: Time to change the law

Morgane Speeckaert · 27.7.2023

In the EU, more than 330 million male chicks are killed every year. But now the EU can put a stop to this with the upcoming animal welfare legislation.

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force-fed goose

The EU can end mandatory force-feeding in foie gras production

Morgane Speeckaert · 20.7.2023

Force-feeding is a painful and cruel practice to which millions of duck and geese are subjected to. But there is a simple way for the EU to stop this.

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The illegal pet trade: A cruel and profitable business

Morgane Speeckaert · 14.7.2023

The complete lack of regulation in pet trade has meant that illegal breeding and selling of pets is thriving - particularly online. This needs to change.

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cow in ship

Beyond borders: why the EU should prohibit live animal exports

Morgane Speeckaert · 6.7.2023

Every year, millions of animals endure long and painful journeys as they are exported to non-EU countries, just to be slaughtered. It is time to change this

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mink in fur farm

Fur Farming: Why it’s time to leave the industry behind

Morgane Speeckaert · 29.6.2023

The Kept Animals Proposal is the perfect opportunity to implement an EU- wide ban on fur farming within the upcoming new animal welfare legislation, and there are many reasons why we need the ban now. 

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pig outdoors

The Five Domains model in EU animal welfare legislation

Morgane Speeckaert · 22.6.2023

The new EU animal welfare legislation presents a crucial opportunity to reshape our approach to animal welfare standards by adopting the Five Domains model

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free range chicken with farmer

Need to know: Upcoming New EU Animal Welfare Legislation

Morgane Speeckaert · 15.6.2023

While the animal welfare proposals are being drafted, we have the chance to call on the European Commission to be as ambitious as possible.

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cow in dry field

World Environment Day: will the EU apply its international commitments at home?

Sophie Aylmer · 5.6.2023

Today is World Environment Day, but it also marks the first day of Bonn Climate Conference. But will the EU apply its international commitments at home? 

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bears socialising

Celebrating Europe's Native Species for World Wildlife Day!

Aubrey Collins · 3.3.2023

Wild animals play a much bigger role in our lives than we think. It is important we remember that protecting European wildlife benefits us all.

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caracal

Research shows an EU-wide Positive list is needed to prevent the illegal trade of exotic pets between Member States

Aubrey Collins · 8.2.2023

A Positive List is expected to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the rise of exotic animal pets in Europe by harmonizing domestic law.

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targeted lion

De-mystifying the role of Trophy Hunting in conservation

Aubrey Collins · 2.2.2023

The European Conservatives and Reformists held an open event focusing on the "positive role" of hunting. FOUR PAWS sets the record straight.

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dogs by the river

Pet Breeding, Trade and Traceability: Challenges and the way ahead

A workshop organised by FOUR PAWS has gathered EU decision makers to discuss pet trade challenges and the implementation of the VeriPet technical system.

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orangutan on tree

CoP15 announces adoption of Global Biodiversity Framework

Aubrey Collins · 21.12.2022

The 15th Conference of the Parties (CoP15) announces adoption of a promising, yet incomplete Global Biodiversity Framework.

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tiger cubs in cage

Raising the issue of EU-bred tigers exported to Vietnam

Aubrey Collins · 16.12.2022

New brief explores the connection between tiger breeding in the EU and consumption within Vietnam.

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cow grazing on pasture

World Soil Day: Why does animal farming matter for soil health?

Sophie Aylmer · 5.12.2022

Healthy soils are essential to human survival and environmental equilibrium. Animal farming is the biggest cause of soil degradation. This needs to change.

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A piggery - many pigs in small confined metal stalls

COP27 Fails to Produce Transformative Change

Sophie Aylmer · 2.12.2022

Without addressing food systems at UN level, climate targets set out by the Paris Agreement cannot be met.

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eu flag

FOUR PAWS welcomes Joe Moran as new Director of European Policy Office

Global animal welfare organisation announces new EPO director

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pigs during transport

It is time for an EU ban on long distance live animal transport and live export to third countries

FOUR PAWS welcomes Germany’s signal towards Europe, triggering important discussions, but there is a need for more consequential measures.

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Dairy cows

Environment Council Publishes Conclusions on COP27

EU environment ministers have approved Council conclusions on the EU’s mandate for the COP27

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Dairy cows at a farm in Spain

Pollution From the Livestock Sector Must Be Addressed

A joint statement to demonstrate support to the Industrial Emissions Directive 

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Piglets on a pig farm

The Future of Animal Welfare Legislation and a Sustainable EU Food System

Pierre Sultana · 23.9.2022

How will von der Leyen's Commission deliver? 

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Dairy Cows in a Barn

NGOs urge the European Parliament to reject report on on-farm animal welfare in an open letter

Pierre Sultana · 10.2.2022

Major animal welfare NGOs ask the European Parliament to reject the report and adopt the ENVI Opinion instead in an open letter to all MEPs.

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cows in a field

The Farm To Fork Strategy – A Key Component for a sustainable European Union

Pierre Sultana · 19.10.2021

Watering down one of the EUs biggest strategies for creating a sustainable and fair future cannot be an option!

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Stop the Illegal Puppy Trade

The Illegal Puppy Trade – Can Technology Stop the Suffering?

Joanna Randall · 25.8.2021

FOUR PAWS joins forces with classified ad sites to protect pets using new technology piloted in Ireland

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Cows in a  transport vehicle

FOUR PAWS EXPOSES - Documented Violations during Live Animal Transports in Bulgaria

Andreas Manz · 6.8.2021

Our FOUR PAWS Team in Bulgaria has recently documented multiple violates against EU Regulations during live animal transports.

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Everything you need to know about the #EndTheCageAge ECI

Answering the most common questions regarding the initiative

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Free range cow

A new EU labelling scheme will display animal well-being across the whole food production cycle

The European Commissions Subgroup on Animal Welfare Labelling published its final conclusions and paves the way for an EU-wide.

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Vegan Protein Sources

Refine, Reduce Replace - A way towards a sustainable food system

Sophie Aylmer · 14.7.2021

The new EU code of conduct on responsible food business and marketing strategies, which was launched earlier this month, acknowledges the integral relationship between animal welfare and sustainability and it is time for industry leaders to follow!

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Slovenian Presidency

FOUR PAWS welcomes the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Pierre Sultana · 1.7.2021

Slovenia takes over on the 1st of July as the last member of a trio with Germany and Portugal

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Chicken in a stable

Preventing the next pandemic

Sophie Aylmer · 2.6.2021

Why stockpiling resources must not be the only response to the COVID-19 pandemic and why we should focus on animal welfare

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Cow in a Transporter

A win for future oriented food!

Sophie Aylmer · 27.5.2021

‘A plant-based alternative to cheese’ and other comparisons between dairy products and their vegan counterparts are now allowed!

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Cow in a Transporter

A long way around legislation

Andreas Manz · 30.4.2021

Live animal transport organisers across the EU are avoiding compliance with legislation. Read more about how they do so!

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Lion cubs at a zoo in Bulgaria

FOUR PAWS Expert at Zoo Directive Stakeholder Meeting

A FOUR PAWS expert got to discuss the possible solutions for animals in case of zoo closures at the meeting.

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Live Animal Transport Event

Pierre Sultana · 9.2.2021

Join us for the webinar ‘Animal Transport: Closing the Gap between EU Requirements and Enforcement ' on the 23rd of February 2021 from 12:00 - 14:00.

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Welcome Portuguese Presidency

Pierre Sultana · 29.1.2021

In with trio with Germany and Slovenia, Portugal will hold the presidency from the 1st of January to the 30th of June 2021.

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Welcome Finnish Presidency

Pierre Sultana · 29.1.2021

Finland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union between 1 July and 31 December 2019

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Tiger trade webinar

Live webinar on December 1st, 12:00 - 14:00 CET

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The invisible cow at COP25

A report of Linda Exenberger, Policy Advisor at FOUR PAWS, who was attending the UN Climate Change Conference in December 2019.

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The new Commission: A new impetus for animals?

The letters of the European Commission’s President-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, to the nominees of the European Commission

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When is a burger not a burger?

When the European Parliament wants to prohibit "veggie burgers"

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EU’s deal with the US on beef gives the wrong signal

The EU guarantees the purchase of tens of thousands of tonnes of hormone-free beef from US meat producers every year. This was made official when Trump signed the deal early August 2019. FOUR PAWS considers this a step in the completely wrong direction.

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Harmful recent EU trade negotiations for animals

Pierre Sultana · 30.7.2019

The European Commission recently concluded trade agreements with Mercosur Countries and with the United States. The decisions are very concerning for animals.

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FOUR PAWS welcomes von der Leyens' election as president of the commission

Yesterday, former German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen was elected by the European Parliament.

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Let’s transform the CAP!

FOUR PAWS invites the new elected MEPs to use the CAP to fight climate change, ensure animal welfare, support healthy food, revitalise rural areas, bring back biodiversity and provide a fair living for farmers by supporting them to work in harmony with nature. 

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The FOUR PAWS Model Solution for full traceability in the online puppy trade

FOUR PAWS releases the Model Solution Report and introduces a pioneer system that excludes illegal puppy dealers from the online classifieds market

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