06 Oct 2023 --- The European Commission (EC) has revealed its intention to publish only one of four promised proposals on animal welfare in this political term in a move that NGOs warn could end in democratic failure. Direct democratic engagement shows that citizens want reform, with five of the ten successful European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) concerning animal welfare. EC executive vice president Maroš Šefčovič — the EU Commissioner leading the race to replace Frans Timmermans as leader of the EU Green Deal — confirmed this week his plans to deliver the proposal on the protection of animals during transport by December 2023. But he failed to clarify the timeline for the other three regulations: Kept Animals, Slaughter and Labelling.
