Leading the team will be our new Head of EU, Vinciane Patelou, who brings with her a wealth of public affairs experience at EU level.  

Extensive public affairs experience

An expert in EU food law with a strong knowledge of health and sustainability issues in the consumer goods sector, Vinciane will put her skills and experience to good use to ensure that farmed animal welfare and sustainable practices are prioritised in EU policies.

As well as having an established track record in designing and implementing lobbying and advocacy campaigns, she is also a lecturer in lobbying at Science Po Lille. 

Vinciane will work with returning and new EU officials and stakeholders to advance the transition towards more humane sustainable food systems.

“The start of the new mandate is a great opportunity to reset the conversations about the future of farming in the EU as exemplified by the Strategic Dialogue,” said Vinciane. “It’s now time to turn this vision into concrete reforms improving animal welfare in line with the latest scientific evidence in the next mandate. Our EU team is ready to bring its knowledge and expertise to the forefront of debate to help achieve that.”  

New Senior Science & Policy Advisor 

The Brussels office will also benefit from the scientific expertise of Dr Elena Lara, who joins as our new EU Senior Science and Policy Advisor focusing on food systems.

 With a PhD in Marine Biology and further expertise in animal law and planetary health, Elena has worked on both national and international projects on marine ecology and participated in several oceanographic campaigns.

Her research on animal welfare issues has been published in prominent international journals and specialist book chapters as well as shared more widely in a TEDx talk in Spanish called “Redescubre los peces (Rethink Fish)”. At Compassion since 2018, she authored the landmark report Octopus Factory Farming: a recipe for disaster and has developed many science-based resources to help support our aquatic campaigns work.

Elena said: “I am excited to join the Brussels office as a new political cycle sets off. As a science advisor, I strive to provide rigorous analyses rooted in science to improve the lives of millions of land and aquatic farmed animals in Europe and make sure the EU successfully transitions towards more sustainable, fair food systems.

“Now more than ever it is paramount that the EU listens to its citizens and shifts towards sustainable food production systems that do not harm animals, people or our planet.”

Lastly, the team will be joined by Suzie Lukacova, who will be working specifically on CAP and how to improve it for both animals and our long-term sustainability. With her previous experience in EU environmental law and policy, and having worked for Birdlife UK, a Brussels-based environmental consultancy and Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Suzie will be an asset to the team.

Stay informed about our work in Brussels 

Our EU office will continue to campaign to strengthen EU legislation and enforcement of farmed animal welfare. In this new mandate, we will focus on many policy files and will advocate for a ban on cages no later than 2026, a review of the block’s animal welfare legislation as well as a CAP that works for animals, people and the planet.

To stay up to date with our work in the EU, make sure to follow us on X, and LinkedIn. 