On 15 October 2025, the four EURCAWs organised an online meeting for the National Reference Centres (NRCs) for Animal Welfare and the National Supporting Bodies (SBs) of Competent Authorities. A total of 41 people attended the meeting. Excluding EURCAW and DG SANTE members, 23 participants from 14 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Sweden and Slovenia) were present. The meeting aimed to facilitate mutual updates between the NRCs/SBs and the four EURCAWs, as well as promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Four National Reference Centres from Italy, Finland, Belgium and France provided updates on their recent activities, including an introduction from the new Scientific Reference Centre for Animal Welfare of Farm Animals (RefWel) in Flanders.

Synergies between NRCS, SBs and EURCAWs were explored using a slido poll and this was followed by Centre-specific workshops to facilitate in-depth discussion of topical issues in animal welfare.

The topics discussed and the presentations can be found in the meeting report here.