Spain adapts European regulations on animal welfare: key points of the new Royal Decree for producers and researchers

Published Jan 29, 2025

Tridge summary

The Ministry of Agriculture in Spain is working to amend Royal Decree 53/2013 to fulfill the requirements of the EU 2024/1262 Delegated Directive, which aims to enhance the care and protection of animals used in scientific research and education. The directive, which must be implemented by December 2025, focuses on species like cephalopods, zebrafish, and passerine birds, addressing recent scientific and ethical advancements. The modifications include upgraded housing conditions, less painful slaughter methods, and administrative changes to clarify the operation of evaluation and supervision bodies. The scientific community is encouraged to participate in a public consultation to identify potential challenges and to ensure compliance with the new regulations, which could include increased inspections and potential legal actions for non-compliance. The changes are seen as a necessary step towards a more ethical approach in Spain's animal research and production sectors.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is working on the modification of Royal Decree 53/2013 to incorporate the changes required by Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/1262 on the protection of animals for experimentation and teaching. This new regulation introduces improvements in the care and protection of animals used in scientific experimentation and educational activities, such as cephalopods, zebrafish and passerine birds, in response to the scientific and ethical advances of recent years. The European directive, which must be transposed into the Spanish regulatory framework before December 4, 2025, poses significant challenges for the sectors involved. According to the Ministry, the changes include an update in the conditions of animal housing, improvements in slaughter methods to reduce pain and suffering, and administrative adjustments that seek to clarify the functioning of the evaluation and supervision bodies. The objective, they say, is to guarantee greater legal ...

Source: Agromeat