Newsletter Party for the Animals Europe – Volume 2:2025
Dear friends of animals,
We are proud to present to you the second newsletter of 2025 from the Animal Politics Foundation! This newsletter will cover the latest updates on the campaigns, political actions, and developments from the Party for the Animals in the European Parliament.
News from Anja Hazekamp
Anja Hazekamp (1968), who has represented the Party of the Animals in the European Parliament since 2014, recently shared that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment, Anja continues to execute as many behind-the-scenes tasks as possible and hopes to be back soon in good health. In the meantime, the Party for the Animals Europe will continue to fight tirelessly for a liveable Earth. Ongoing negotiations on important EU-laws for the welfare of dogs and cats and on the protection of animals during transport will be taken over by Anja's team, as well as our fight for a GMO-free Europe. We wish Anja a lot of strength and support during her treatment!
The latest news of the work of the Party for the Animals Europe:
Tierschutzpartei becomes biggest extra-parliamentary party in Germany
The Tierschutzpartei (Animal Protection Party) in Germany has become the biggest extra-parliamentary party after the recent federal elections! This is an amazing victory in a time in which right-wing parties are gaining ground. We wish the Tierschutzpartei the best of luck during the upcoming state elections and hope that this great momentum will continue!
European Parliament Lowers Protection Status Wolf
Sadly, a majority of the European Parliament has voted with 65% in favour of lowering the protection status of wolves in Europe. Once again, populistic decisions are being made, disregarding the welfare of sentient beings and the ignoring the consequences for nature. But we are not giving up! Even though the European protection status has been lowered, the Party for the Animals will continue its fight to protect wolves in Europe: for example by urging EU-countries to maintain strict protection of wolves under national legislation. Thanks to our Portuguese party People, Animals, Nature (PAN), Portugal has already announced that it will keep strict protection of wolves in place under national legislation. Also Belgium has announced it will keep protecting wolves strictly. We will keep pushing in order to achieve that more countries will follow.
Environment committee votes in favour of new Dogs and Cats regulation
The Environment committee of the European Parliament has voted in favour of a new law to protect the welfare of dogs and cats in Europe. The law sets animal welfare requirements and introduces an obligation to chip and register all dogs and cats in Europe. The microchipping and registration of dogs and cats is important to combat illegal (puppy) trade, animal abuse, neglect, abandonment and other cruelties.
This regulation can also help to stop puppy mills, mutilations and bad breeding practices, such as the breeding of pets with extreme characteristics. Shelters will also be required to ensure the welfare of dogs and cats. While our team is still in negotiations with the Agriculture committee and the full European Parliament still has to cast its vote, the adoption of this law by the Environment Committee has been a step in the right direction!
Unveiling the Hidden Costs of Factory Farming in the European Parliament
The Party for the Animals Europe has co-hosted a photography exhibition in the European Parliament, highlighting the many adverse effects of factory farming on animals, human health and the environment. The exhibition featured impactful images, shedding light on the suffering of animals held by intensive farms, as well as the profound negative impacts on local communities and ecosystems situated near such facilities. The collection included compelling images that highlight issues such as confinement, cruelty, and poor welfare conditions for animals, as well as the broader environmental damage, and resulting public health issues. Thereby illustrating the urgent need for a shift towards more humane and sustainable farming practices.
Ironically, one photo - displaying a piglet about to be castrated without anaesthesia - was not allowed to be portrayed because it was considered ‘’too graphic’’. Luckily our Member Anja was present to bypass the censorship and portray the reality of factory farming within the European Parliament.
Protecting the European Hedgehog
A pilot project proposed by Anja Hazekamp and the German MEP Sebastian Everding regarding the protection of the European hedgehog has been adopted by the Environment Committee (ENVI). The pilot study aims to provide a scientific basis for the Europe-wide protection of hedgehogs. While this protection is urgently needed, there remains a lack of essential reliable figures and data from European countries. The proposal will now go to the Budget Committee and from there to the European Commission – we will keep you updated about its progress!
Exposing the cruelty of long-range animal transports
In February, the Party for the Animals Europe screened previously unseen recordings of the horrible export of living animals to non-EU countries. During negotiations on the new law on animal transports, multiple MEPs continue to downplay and deny the animal cruelty inherent in long-distance transports. This screening served as a wakeup call to make MEPs aware of the cruel reality behind long-range animal transports.
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