Tour of calf farm examined

A tour of a calf farm owned by industrialist Denkavit in Montreuil-Bellay, Maine-et-Loire, which was revealed by the animal rights association L214 in April 2022, was reviewed by the Cour de cassation, France’s highest court for civil and criminal matters.

High court reaffirms principles

In a ruling issued on October 14, 2026, the Cour de cassation confirmed two core legal principles related to the treatment of animals and the responsibilities of individuals and organizations involved in animal farming.

Principle on animal welfare

One principle emphasized the legal obligation to ensure the welfare of animals, particularly in industrial farming settings, reinforcing that animal suffering must be minimized according to established legal standards.

Principle on transparency

The second principle highlighted the importance of transparency in agricultural practices, requiring that information about animal treatment be made available to the public and to regulatory bodies when necessary.