In my last blog, I wrote about great news for animals, humans and the planet. In the Netherlands, we are headed into the summer recess, and luckily I can end this parliamentary year with even more good news! And with some tasty food as well, since there was a delicious plant-based, animal-friendly barbecue at the doorstep of the Dutch House of Representatives. Better for us humans as well as anima...
In the upcoming online conference ‘Saving the World with Fork & Knife’ experts, politicians, NGO’s and activists from all over the world will look into the impact of our current food system on public health, animals, environment and nature. Practical workshops and presentations of inspiring examples will also have them think about possible alternatives and effective action for change.
Last Thursday, the Dutch Party for the Animals voted against the European Climate Act. "The targets in this law fall short. The approach is too non-committal. With this law, we will not keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius – with disastrous consequences. That is why, with a heavy heart, I am voting against this climate law," said MEP Anja Hazekamp during the plenary debate in the European...
Last week, the European Parliament voted in favour of ambitious plans to protect and restore nature. To increase biodiversity, protect oceans and forests and recognize ecocide – the destruction or large-scale damaging of ecosystems – as an international crime. By 2030, 30% of all land and sea areas must be protected, according to Parliament. A vital step, says MEP Anja Hazekamp of the Dutch Party ...
From 2027, the European Parliament will ban the use of cages for pigs, calves, rabbits, chickens, quails, ducks and geese in the livestock industry. In a historic vote last week, a majority of MEPs backed the 'End The Cage Age' citizens' initiative, which 1.4 million people in Europe signed last year.
Late last year, the Dutch Party for the Animals submitted an elaborate proposal to criminalise ecocide. This proposal, containing case studies from around the world and a 10-step plan with concrete measures, is now also available in English, French, and Arabic. The Dutch Party for the Animals is part of an international political movement that prioritises the protection of the planet and all of it...
There was a lot of good news last month for people, animals, and our planet! In one of my previous blogs I wrote that the world is at a tipping point. All over the world, people of all ages and backgrounds are taking to the streets or going to court to demand action to keep our earth inhabitable. More and more people are speaking up against injustice: injustices against people who are already stru...
Last Friday, the Committee on Agriculture of the European Parliament voted for a ban on keeping animals in cages in the food industry. Following the highly successful citizens’ initiative that was signed by 1.4 million people, the end of the ‘Cage Age’ is finally in sight. In the beginning of June, the entire European Parliament will vote on the matter, after which it will be up to the European Co...
Thanks to three proposals from the Dutch Party for the Animals, animals in livestock farming are protected better than ever by law. The legislative changes passed by the House of Representatives last week will ensure that the natural behaviour of animals becomes paramount. Animals should no longer be adapted to the system (for example, by cutting tails), and are finally protected from barn fires. ...
According to the international study that was published in Nature last Wednesday, there is still time to prevent a disastrous sea level rise. But in order to achieve this, governments have to work harder than ever before on meeting the Paris climate goals of 2015. The Dutch Party for the Animals and her sister parties around the world have been pleading for a courageous approach to the climate cri...
More and more people in Lebanon are opting for plant-based food and veganism. Recently, the Hayek hospital in Beirut became the first hospital in the world to switch to a completely plant-based (vegan) range of meals. Social initiatives such as Lebanese Vegans are also getting more and more people interested in plant-based food, animal rights and the environment. The interest of many Lebanese in a...
The world is in urgent need of governments that show courage to make the choices necessary to keep the earth livable, for all of its inhabitants. That’s what I wrote at the end of March, in the aftermath of the Dutch elections. During these elections, the Party for the Animals grew once again, and we didn’t waste a minute in getting down to business. We asked the outgoing Minister for Agriculture ...