EUROPEAN UNION
ELECTION 2009
A MANIFESTO FOR EUROPE
by
www.advocatesforanimals.org
It's time to put
better animal welfare on the agenda in
Brussels
LOOKING
forward to the European elections in June 2009, Advocates for
Animals has published a Manifesto for Animal Welfare.
Candidates are being asked to support key recommendations
including:
- Introduce compulsory welfare labeling for all animal-derived
foodstuffs and other products sold to consumers within the
EU.
- Ban commercial live animal transport in excess of eight
hours.
- Review the Pigs Directive to provide robust protection for pigs
including a ban on sow stalls, farrowing crates and
mutilations.
- End the use of primates in experiments.
- Commit to bi-annual, thematic reviews of the EU Directive
governing animal experiments, to archive the targeted, timetabled
replacement of all animal experiments.
- Ban the import of wild-caught, exotic species intended to be used
as pets.
- Ban the use of animals in circuses.
- Ban trade in all seal products.
The most recent survey published by the European Commission on
"Attitudes of EU Citizens Towards Animal Welfare" showed that, on
average, EU citizens gave the issue eight out of ten for
importance.
Advocates for Animals believes that the European Parliament and the
Commission are well aware of the growing importance of animal
welfare to European voters - and will be taking the opportunity of
the elections to press this message home.