7 June 2024

Press Release

Over 1000 candidate MEPs have committed to work towards better animal welfare in the EU, should they be elected in the current European Elections.

The Vote for Animals campaign, run by Eurogroup for Animals and its members, asks candidates to take a pledge committing to do more for better protection of all animals at EU level.

Candidates spanning the entire political spectrum across 27 Member States have made the commitment. Spain, Italy, Finland and France have the largest number of candidates supporting the pledge.

The Vote for Animals pledge calls for:

• New species-specific legislation for all farmed species, and a transition to non-cage systems within five years, as promised in response to the End the Cage Age ECI.
• An end to the suffering of animals during live transport, moving away from live animals towards transporting meat products.
• Higher standards for aquatic species, both farmed and wild, in farming, transport and slaughter; and a ban on the introduction of octopus farming.
• A Common Agricultural Policy that supports a sustainable food system, and a transition to higher animal welfare, and a shift towards plant-based diets.
• Trade requirements that respect the same standards as those established by revised EU legislation.
• Raised efforts and resources to accelerate the transition to non-animal methods in research, and support the scientific community to shift towards animal-free testing. 
• Better legislation for wild animals, including a positive list of animal species allowed to be kept as pets, strengthened EU legislation for zoos, action against wildlife trafficking, and humane methods in wildlife management.
• A ban, without delay, of fur farms and fur products on the EU market, as per the demands of the Fur Free Europe ECI.
• Full traceability, improved breeding practices, stricter controls on sales and transportation, and better treatment of companion animals.
• An EU commissioner responsible for animal welfare, to ensure consistent attention and action in this area.

The feedback to our Vote for Animals campaign is reflective of the demands of EU citizens for better protection for animals. It is now time to go and vote, to help shape an EU that will place animal welfare at the forefront, and ensure revised and better legislation that is fit for a progressive Europe

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals.

Regards Mark