Animal welfare 'an important theme in European elections'

Up until recent years, very few EU citizens have been aware of the shocking truth about animal cruelty in the EU, according to animal welfare groups.

With the rise of social media, more and more EU citizens are daily witnessing the atrocities against animals in many EU member states. The great concern for the animals can also be seen in the increasing number of animal welfare parties in the EU member states, the latest being the Swedish Animal Welfare Party.

Animal welfare parties in the following countries are standing with own candidates in the European Elections: Cyprus, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. One of the major concerns of the EU-citizens is the total lack of EU legislation for dogs, cats and other companion animals resulting in abandonment, systematic torture and killing of millions of animals. The ongoing massacre of stray dogs in Romania involving crime, corruption and unscrupulous misuse of EU funds has gained publicity, and has for many EU citizens been an eye-opener.

Also the physical and mental health of the EU citizens, in particular children and other sensitive persons, is badly affected when they are forced to witness animal cruelty.

The need for urgent changes to the EU animal welfare legislation and practices is evident. To the great disappointment and dismay of the EU-citizens, the EU however remains very reluctant to deal with animal cruelty issues.

Several animal welfare organisations have launched campaigns for the European Elections:

Eurogroup for Animals
ESDAW (European Society of Dog and Animal Welfare)

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