Animal protection in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
This is the full text of Article 13 (Title II) in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union:
“In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.”
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Online version