The survey will be the first to look at the issue since 2006 and is part of an initiative to follow up on the current 2012 to 2015 welfare strategy.

DG SANTE officials have said the survey will be wider than 10 years ago and will probably include all animals kept for economic purposes.

Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU Health Commissioner, has planned a debate with the College of Commissioners on animal welfare and the EU's strategy on the issue. According to the EU Commission, in a letter sent to EU Farm Ministers on 13 May, Andriukaitis said more can be done to enforce EU welfare standards and to promote them.

So far this year there have been a number of cases on the island relating to animal cruelty. In February a father and son were sentenced to four months in prison for starving their cattle and housing them in unsuitable conditions, while another farmer received a six month suspended prison sentence for animal cruelty in May.

The move to form a new strategy for animal welfare has been welcomed by welfare NGO Eurogroup for Animals, who said the survey "should not only cover farm animals but also... wildlife, research animals and companion animals."