MAPA proposes repealing the latest pig welfare regulations

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has launched the public consultation process for the draft Royal Decree that will repeal Royal Decree 809/2025, the regulation that introduced significant changes in animal welfare on pig farms, particularly with regard to stocking densities, minimum surface area, and farm classification. In this way, the Government will eliminate this regulation, which amended the 2002 regulation on the protection of pigs, with the aim of restoring legal stability for the pig sector.

Judicial annulment and effects on density regulations

The repeal is mainly the result of the Supreme Court ruling of November 2025, which declared null and void the amendment to the article concerning the minimum free floor area per pig, initially established in Royal Decree 159/2023 and subsequently incorporated into Royal Decree 809/2025. This annulment directly affects the legal basis of the new farm densities and types, rendering the introduced modifications ineffective and restoring the previous regulations regarding minimum surface area per animal.

Pending the European Union Livestock Strategy

Added to this scenario is the announcement by the European Commission of a future Livestock Strategy of the European Union, which will include elements on animal welfare and whose publication is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

The preliminary consultations carried out by the Commission have addressed key aspects such as the housing of breeding sows, which could lead to new EU-level requirements. In light of this, MAPA considers it prudent to avoid national regulatory changes that could become obsolete in the short term or conflict with future European legislation.

Health context and pressure on the pig sector

The repeal proposal also takes into account the current epidemiological situation, marked by the detection of cases of African swine fever (ASF) in wildlife. This circumstance entails an additional burden for the production sector and for the competent authorities of the autonomous communities, which are responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance and biosecurity. In this context, a period of regulatory stability focused on the health and productive management of farms is considered necessary.

Public consultation and deadline for submitting comments

The draft Royal Decree is subject to public consultation, allowing the sector and other stakeholders to submit comments, observations, or suggestions. These must be sent using the designated template, in Word format, to the email address bzn-bienestaranimal@mapa.es, indicating in the subject line the reference RD_derog_RD809_2025. The submission period will be open from 3 to 11 February 2026, inclusive.