VOTE FOR ANIMALS 2024

The Vote for Animals campaign, launched by Eurogroup for Animals and supported by over 50 international organizations  – OIPA included – aims to place animal welfare at the core of the upcoming EU Elections. The campaign encourages candidate MEPs to take a pledge for the animals, while informing citizens about the importance of these elections for progress on animal welfare in the EU, helping them to choose candidates that share their values and encouraging them to vote.

Candidate MEPs are being encouraged to sign a pledge stating a clear commitment to work to improve animal welfare if they are elected to the European Parliament (EP). The pledge, composed of ten asks, addresses live animal transport, imports of animal-based products, welfare of aquatic species, non-animal science and the conservation of wild animals, among others.

By taking the pledge, candidates commit to represent EU citizens’ demands for better animal welfare legislation. European citizens have been very vocal in demanding the EU to do better for animals. Six of ten successful European Citizens Initiatives are related to animal welfare, of which 1.5 million citizens have asked for a Fur Free Europe, and 1.2 million asked for a transition to cage-free systems. The last Eurobarometer, showed that over nine in ten Europeans believe that it is important to protect the welfare of farmed animals, while an overwhelming majority expressed the importance of better protection of kept animals during their entire lifetime.

Elected MEPs have the competence to drive animal welfare issues forward, by working to ensure it remains a priority on the EU agenda, being vocal on issues that need addressing, and voting in the interest of animals. During the current term, a significant number of MEPs have brought to light critical issues including the delay in the publication of the animal welfare legislation, the horrific nature of live animal transport and fur farming.

Elected representatives also have the opportunity to join the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, which provides a cross-party platform for MEPs to discuss and exchange views on animal welfare issues and to initiate and promote related initiatives in the EP.

(information from @EurogroupForAnimals official website campaign)

WORK HARDER FOR ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION
A legislation which is ambitious, humane, progressive and not species-specific. Include a ban on cages and other cruel farming practices, as well as better protection for chickens reared for meat, and laying hens.

STOP THE SUFFERING OF ANIMALS IN LIVE TRANSPORT
More humane rules governing the transportation of animals. A transition to an outright ban on live exports and on the transportation of vulnerable animals; and stricter time limits on the length of every journey, for every animal.

PROTECT THE WELFARE OF AQUATIC ANIMALS
Guarantee protection the welfare of farmed fish during farming, transport and slaughter. We must advance the welfare of target species in wild capture fisheries, and forbid the introduction of octopus farming.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION
An EU policy that encourages an easy transition towards a sustainable food production that is healthier for us, kinder to animals, and more better for the planet.

STRICTER RULES ON IMPORTED ANIMAL-BASED PRODUCTS
Imported animal-based products must respect the same standards as established by the new and revised EU animal welfare legislation. There must be no loopholes that allow products derived from cruelly-treated animals to be imported into the EU market.

TRANSITION TO NON-ANIMAL SCIENCE
Avoid and replace the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education. The Commission must introduce new EU-wide strategic actions to help the transition away from animal-based science.

BETTER DEAL FOR WILD ANIMALS
New measures to improve the welfare and conservation of wild animals, including a plan against wildlife trafficking, a ‘positive list’ of species that can be legally kept as pets, stricter rules governing captive animals, better coexistence, non-lethal and humane methods in wildlife management

BAN ON FUR FARMING AND FARMED FUR PRODUCTS
Based on animal welfare, ethical, environmental and public health grounds, a final ban on fur farming and the import and sale of farmed fur products on the European market

BETTER CARE FOR COMPANION ANIMALS
Strengthen the Commission’s proposal for a new Companion Animal Regulation, which will include the stop on poor breeding practices, secure pet’s wellbeing during transportation, tackle the illegal pet trade and request stricter controls when sold/advertised online

AN EU COMMISSIONER FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
A dedicated EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare to finally give animals the attention they deserve. Animal welfare carried out along the United Nations One Health approach, sustainably addressing the health of citizens, animals and the environment.

EUROPEAN CITIZENS

European citizens can ask their national candidates to sign the pledge for animals. By making the Vote for Animals pledge, they will be promising to promote 10 key commitments for animals in the next legislative cycle.
Citizens will have the opportunity to see the list of candidates who have adhered to the campaign and vote for them in the election.

Official website: