EP - The legal status of sanctuary animals
The Legal Status of Sanctuary Animals
23 April 2025
From 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM — Room ASP 5E1
Co-hosted by: Tilly Metz (The Greens/EFA), Emma Fourreau (The Left), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), and Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP)
Many non-governmental organisations and private households in Europe are taking in former livestock—cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and horses—for non-profit purposes. These animals are no longer part of the food chain and are considered pets by their carers.
However, for so-called livestock species other than rabbits and horses, EU legislation does not currently foresee a formal change of legal status for animals leaving the production system to be treated as companion animals. In the absence of clear European guidance on the matter, several European countries have started adopting specific measures and legal regimes for farm animal sanctuaries and private ownership, to ensure that these animals remain outside the food chain and receive appropriate welfare checks.
Though affecting only a relatively small number of animals and organisations, the current legal ambiguity and emerging national disparities create uncertainty for sanctuaries, private owners, veterinary authorities, and the food industry. The expert roundtable aims to discuss whether it would be possible and desirable to adapt or adopt European legislation on this matter, in order to provide a solid legislative framework for Member States to operate within.
Detailed Program
5:00 PM — Introduction
5:10 PM — Virginia Markus
Founder of Co&xister
5:20 PM — Verena Bracher
Veterinarian (CH)
5:30 PM — Bertrand Chefneux
Veterinarian (BE/FR)
5:40 PM — Claudia Vinci
Policy Analyst at EPRS
5:50 PM — Jimmy Gouedard
Deputy Director at OABA (FR)
6:00 PM — Noreen O’Sullivan Krogsgaard
Board Member of Dyrenes Frie Farm (DK)
6:10 PM — Discussion / Q&A
6:25 PM — Conclusion
6:30 PM — Plant-based apéritif
Registration
via: https://shorturl.at/FWjlo
(Deadline for attendees without EP accreditation: 15th April 2025)
Staff