19 Sep 2024 --- Animal rights groups praise European Commission (EC) president Ursula von der Leyen for appointing a dedicated health and animal welfare commissioner but wonder whether Olivér Várhelyi of Hungary is the right choice. “It is great to see that the new EC is finally listening to citizens’ demands, who have continuously asked for better EU laws to protect animal welfare. The inclusion of animal welfare in the title will ensure that this topic remains a priority in all relevant discussions, and we expect the revision of the animal welfare legislation to be the first file to be dealt with,” says Reineke Hameleers, CEO of lobby group Eurogroup for Animals.
