European Commission: Animal welfare - new report highlights gaps and opportunities in farmed fish across the EU
A newly published overview report by the European Commission finds that fish welfare in the EU remains uneven and less developed than for other farmed animals.
Most countries rely on general EU rules, with limited specific legislation and few dedicated welfare controls, particularly at farm level and during slaughter. While good practices, research and new technologies are emerging, their use remains inconsistent. Key challenges include the lack of clear welfare indicators, limited expertise, and difficulties in inspecting remote farms.
The report highlights opportunities to strengthen controls, improve data use, develop animal welfare indicators, and share best practices across the EU.