Animal welfare on European agenda for the first time

Over the past 10 years, animal welfare has been developed into a full-fledged competence with a decisive policy at the Flemish level, but the issue still receives far too little attention at the European level. This cannot continue, so Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare Ben Weyts, together with his Walloon and Brussels colleagues, took matters into their own hands. The European Presidency is the ideal lever for this. The first European meeting specifically on animal welfare is already planned.

“Call to Care for Animal Welfare” brings together ministers responsible for animal welfare from across the European Union, European Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, senior officials, independent scientists and other prominent figures with a heart for animals. Peter Singer, one of the founders of animal rights, will deliver a message to the European Union, and several Flemish pioneers for animal welfare, such as Geert Hoste, Véronique Puts and veterinarian Joshua Dutré, will also be present. In addition, we are also looking forward to the arrival of Prince Laurent, who has been an advocate for animal welfare for a very long time.

Appeals with concrete demands

At the event, policymakers and scientists will engage in a debate on animal welfare within agriculture and the associated economic costs. There will be presentations on issues such as artificial intelligence and the breeding of dogs and cats. Good practices will be exchanged and new appeals will be launched. Minister Weyts will launch concrete animal welfare demands for the EU in a closing argument. This will be followed by a networking event enhanced by an animal-friendly show-cooking segment presented by Seppe Nobels, among others.