The E.U. has taken active approach to the many different aspects of animal law, since legislation on farm animal welfare was first adopted in 1974. The information below is focused on welfare issues ofcompanion animals, farm animals and animals used in research; excluded are legal materials which focus on conservation and preservation. For more information on locating materials on those topics try our International Environmental Law Research Guide. In addition, in ourEuropean Union Research guide, you can find more general guidance on doing legal research for E.U..
In November 2009, an independent external evaluation of the current E.U. policy on Animal Welfare (EU PAW) was created. There is also the Community Action Plan on the Protection which is charged with coordinating, promoting and improving the E.U. policies on animal welfare. Created in 2006, when they have posted they have posted most of their working papers online. An excellent place for an overview of the international coordinating, creating and obligations of E.U. policies on animal welfare, is from the International Animal Welfare Issues section of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection.
Below is a listing the major E.U. treaties, directives and regulations on animal welfare issues, please note this not an exhaustive list of all the possible laws and regulations which could apply to animal welfare issues. Be sure to update your research!