EU legislation process

This section gives you an overview of the EU legislation process

There are three main players in the EU legislative process

  • The European Commission, which represents the common interest of the EU, is the main executive body. It has the right to propose legislation and ensures that EU policies are properly implemented. 
  • The Council of Ministers, which represents the Member States, is the EU’s main decision-taking body. When it meets at Heads of State or Government level, it becomes the European Council whose role is to provide the EU with political impetus on key issues. Many decisions are now taken by Qualified Majority Voting, a system where voting weight is determined by population size.
  • The European Parliament, which represents the people, shares legislative and budgetary power with the Council of the European Union.
Other institutions and bodies also exist to help with the development and interpretation of European policies, such as the Court of Justice, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Court of Auditors.

Co-decision

Most veterinary policy is decided through a procedure called co-decision.  The Commission will make a proposal for a major piece of legislation, for example on animal welfare in transport, and the European Parliament and the Agriculture Council will have equal responsibility for adopting the final text.

Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health

When the Commission needs to adopt implementing legislation in the veterinary sector, it may present a proposal to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, a committee composed of Member State officials.