ANIMAL LAW – German Attorneys at law

2022 reform review: the EU veterinary medicines framework

horak Attorneys at law — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:10:41 +0000

Archive retrospective, written in November 2026: the practical significance of the framework applicable since 28 January 2022. Published 8 November 2026 Regulation (EU) 2019/6 became applicable on 28 January 2022. It provides a European framework for veterinary medicinal products, with supplementary rules and national implementation relevant to individual activities. Contracts…

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2016 case review: gross veterinary treatment errors

horak Attorneys at law — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:10:29 +0000

Archive retrospective, written in November 2026: why BGH VI ZR 247/15 remains relevant to evidence in veterinary disputes. Published 8 November 2026 On 10 May 2016 the Federal Court of Justice held that a gross veterinary treatment error capable of causing the type of harm that occurred will normally reverse the objective burden of proof concerning causation. The decision is VI ZR 247/15.

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EU dog and cat welfare: planning for the new framework

horak Attorneys at law — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:10:23 +0000

Breeders, sellers, shelters and online operators need to distinguish adoption of new EU rules from the dates on which individual duties apply. Published 8 November 2026 In May 2026 the Council announced adoption of legislation covering the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. The measures concern areas such as breeding, housing, veterinary care, identification and online advertising…

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Animal transport in 2026: current duties and proposed reform

horak Attorneys at law — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:10:17 +0000

Transport businesses should distinguish the current legal framework from proposals for future requirements. Published 8 November 2026 The Commission’s transport overview identifies Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 and the Official Controls Regulation as the basic framework. It describes the December 2023 reform proposal as under examination by the European Parliament and Council.

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Veterinary product information: preparing for January 2027

horak Attorneys at law — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:10:05 +0000

A 2026 planning issue for authorisation holders: review the product-information transition before the January 2027 deadline. Published 8 November 2026 The Commission identifies 29 January 2027 as the end of the packaging and labelling transition for veterinary medicines authorised or registered under the previous framework. EMA’s QRD guidance addresses the associated product-information…

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Medicated feed in 2026: homogeneity and cross-contamination

horak Attorneys at law — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:09:54 +0000

The Commission’s March 2026 guidance makes production controls a practical priority for feed businesses. Published 8 November 2026 On 19 March 2026 the European Commission published guidance on evaluating feed homogeneity and cross-contamination. It addresses how competent authorities assess the methods used by feed businesses. Guidance should be read alongside Regulation (EU) 2019/4…

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Germany Animal Law in 2025

horak Attorneys at law — Thu, 22 May 2025 17:03:48 +0000

Originally published 22 May 2025. Revised 8 November 2026. Debate about reform of German animal welfare law concerned husbandry, breeding, controls and enforcement. A proposal, campaign demand or parliamentary debate should not be described as a binding rule without checking the enacted text and commencement provisions. Before changing facilities or an operating model…

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German animal law, animal owner liability, and veterinary law

horak Attorneys at law — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:21:49 +0000

Originally published 19 February 2025. Revised 8 November 2026. An animal-related incident may raise a civil damages claim, an animal-welfare issue and a veterinary treatment question. Each has its own conditions and evidential requirements. Section 833 BGB distinguishes the general liability rule from a conditional defence for domestic animals intended to serve the keeper’s profession…

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Recent Developments in Animal Law

horak Attorneys at law — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 13:34:34 +0000

Originally published 17 January 2025. Editorially revised on 8 November 2026 to distinguish proposals from applicable law. Policy announcements, parliamentary proposals and enacted legislation must be distinguished. The earlier version of this article overstated several measures as already applicable. Those unsupported statements have been removed. The European Commission’s current transport…

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Legally speaking: are animals just things?

horak Attorneys at law — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:33:30 +0000

You may have already heard about it: legally speaking are animals to be seen us things. But is this true? What’s the matter about this affirmation? The German Civil Code (BGB) contains a provision in § 90a BGB that contains regulations concerning animals. The provision is based on the idea that an animal, as a fellow creature, should not be equated with a thing. This is why § 90a p.1…

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