THE ROLE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION IN SHAPING MODERN VETERINARY PRACTICE AND LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT IN THE EU

Abstract

Animal welfare has become a central ethical and regulatory concern within the European Union, yet significant variation persists in how welfare standards are implemented and enforced across Member States. This study employed a mixed-methods experimental design combining quantitative legal-comparative analysis with qualitative interpretative assessment to evaluate divergences in EU animal welfare legislation and their implications for veterinary practice and livestock management. Using a composite Animal Welfare Regulatory Index derived from legislative scope, enforcement intensity, species specificity, and veterinary compliance indicators, the results reveal substantial heterogeneity among Member States despite shared EU minimum requirements. Quantitative findings demonstrate wide disparities in enforcement rigor and species-specific protection, while qualitative analysis highlights the influence of cultural traditions, religious exemptions, and administrative discretion on welfare outcomes. Graphical visualizations further confirm that stronger legal frameworks are often associated with increased veterinary oversight demands but do not uniformly translate into improved welfare protection. The study concludes that EU animal welfare governance remains fragmented, with national adaptations shaping uneven welfare standards across the Union. These findings underscore the need for clearer species-specific legislation, more consistent enforcement, and stronger integration of scientific welfare evidence into policy-making to ensure that the recognition of animals as sentient beings results in meaningful and equitable welfare improvements.