Stakeholder meeting on the welfare of cats and dogs, and farmed finfish: practices, scientific evidence and data
Background
Animal welfare remains an important area of European Union policy. In December 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for the first EU-wide rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. Following agreement between the co-legislators, new EU rules on the welfare and traceability of cats and dogs were formally adopted in 2026. They establish common welfare requirements for dogs and cats bred or kept in establishments and strengthen traceability. EFSA has previously provided scientific and technical assistance on the welfare of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments and has recently received a mandate on the use of animal-based measures and extreme traits in breeding. The current scientific evidence and data remain important to support the assessment of welfare risks and the development of practical welfare measures.
In addition, EFSA has received a request from the European Parliament concerning the on-farm welfare of farmed finfish. The scope currently under consideration focuses on five key species: Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, common carp, European seabass and gilthead seabream. The assessment will focus on management-related aspects and general husbandry practices during the grow-out production phase, including the main farming systems and management practices, the most relevant welfare consequences associated with them, the main hazards contributing to these welfare consequences, animal-based measures to assess and monitor them, and recommendations to prevent or mitigate the most relevant welfare consequences. Broodstock management, hatchery operations, egg and larval stages, transport, and stunning and killing are outside the scope of this mandate.
EFSA is therefore organising a technical stakeholder meeting to set the scene for an open dialogue between EFSA and its stakeholders and to gather scientific and technical input to be gathered at an early stage of the work.
Objectives of the meeting
The stakeholder meeting will take place in Brussels on two consecutive days, as follows:
- 10 December 2026, 14:00-18:00 cats and dogs
- 11 December 2026, 09:00-13:00 farmed finfish
This event will offer stakeholders the opportunity to learn about EFSA's work and to discuss available scientific evidence, data and data sources, practical experience, and information gaps. For cats and dogs, the discussion will cover welfare-relevant breeding and keeping practices, as well as breeding-related welfare risks and extreme traits.
For farmed finfish, it will cover on-farm welfare during the grow-out phase of the above mentioned five key finfish species.
Structure of the meeting
The technical meeting will take place in Brussels on two consecutive days, as follows:
- 10 December 2026, 14:00-18:00 cats and dogs
- 11 December 2026, 09:00-13:00 farmed finfish
Following the opening plenary session where introductory speeches will be shared, a discussion will be moderated at the end of each session.
EFSA will issue a short report following the meeting, summarising the discussions. The report will be published together with the presentations shared during the meeting.
Who should attend?
The event is open to stakeholders with relevant scientific, technical or practical expertise in the welfare of dogs and cats and/or farmed finfish, in particular those who can share data, evidence or practical experience that may support EFSA's work. This may include researchers, veterinarians, competent authorities, sector organisations, breeding or keeping establishments, shelters, aquaculture operators and animal-welfare organisations.
Participation is limited to a maximum of 60 participants, including speakers and other experts already identified by EFSA. A further selection will ensure a sufficient representation of the various fields of expertise, as well as representation of stakeholder groups and geographical balance.
On-line registration
Please click on the above tab to register for one or both meetings
Please note that registration may close once the maximum number of participants is reached or, at the latest, by 27 November 2026.
After closure of registration, potential participants will be informed whether they have been selected for participation.
Organisational details
The event will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 10-11 December 2026 from 14:00 to 18:00 and from 09:00 to 13:00 CET. Further details will be communicated to selected participants. English will be the language of the event, and no translation will be provided.
There is no fee for participation, however, unless invited by EFSA, participants are required to cover expenses related to travel and accommodation.
Online participation is not foreseen, register for this meeting if you can come in person.
Unauthorised recording, transmission or transcription of the event/meeting, including through the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, is not permitted. Participants are also expected to refrain from any conduct that may disrupt the proper running of the event/meeting, including the use of AI-generated or other content in a manner that interferes with the proceedings. Where such situations arise, the chairperson or organisers may take appropriate measures, such as restricting access to certain functionalities, or removing the participant from the event/meeting.
Contact
Do not hesitate to contact the organising committee at events [at] efsa.europa.eu for more information.