Whilst debate about the EU often focuses on the economic and political advantages, I wanted to put the spotlight on the EU’s largely overlooked role in improving the lives of animals. Over the past 25 years the EU has been responsible for improving the quality of animals’ lives and preventing cruelty. The bar has been raised not only in Britain but across all member states.
Improving lives of farm animals
The EU banned battery caged hens which had previously seen up to five chickens being held in a cage. These chickens were unable to even flap their wings and the hens were unable to escape aggression from other hens. EU legislation has also resulted in tangible improvements in the slaughter of farm animals. The law aimed to “minimise the pain and suffering of animals through the use of properly approved stunning methods”. It applies to the approximately 360 million pigs, sheep, goats and cattle and several billion poultry that are killed in EU slaughterhouses each year.
Banning Fur and Ivory Imports
The European Union imposed a ban on importing products made from seals. This was in light of the inhumane way that seals are often killed. Cat and dog fur was also banned by the EU. In 2014, the EU tried to pass a European-wide ban on importing ivory to help prevent the killing of elephants. Unfortunately, Nigel Farage and his UKIP MEPs voted it down in the European Parliament.
Promoting animal welfare standards in Britain and across Europe
Much of the progressive law that has improved animal welfare has come from the EU. In this policy area the UK has often not been as proactive as the EU in promoting animal welfare. Thanks to our membership we have been able to see animal welfare standards improve in our own country and across Europe. This means that less animals suffer unnecessarily. For me, this is another very good reason for voting in favour for Britain to remain in the European Union.
Please make sure you, your friends and your family are registered to vote in the referendum.
If you want to get more information about the European Union ahead of the referendum on 23rd June, please have a look at Richard Corbett MEP’s app: http://www.richardcorbett.org.uk/app/
Alternatively, here are some other webpages with facts about the EU:
http://www.parliament.uk/eu-referendum
http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7213
http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php/inforbritain
http://www.strongerin.co.uk/faqs#4ALOpRcUYRdhxjkX.97
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/external/html/ephistory/default_en.htm
