Appeal to the European Union: end the kangaroo hunt!

On World Kangaroo Day, MEP Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals, the Netherlands) called on the European Commission to end the import of kangaroo meat and kangaroo products. Hazekamp is keen to know why the European Commission did not take action after worrying findings about the kangaroo hunt, which emerged during a parliamentary inquiry conducted by the Australian state of New South Wales. The inquiry confirmed, among other things, that it is standard practice to kill healthy baby kangaroos during the hunt, something that a large part of the Australian population finds shocking. Furthermore, many kangaroos are shot from a great distance during the hunt, which contravenes Australian rules and causes serious animal suffering. Reports of animal cruelty are not followed up by the Australian government. The Animal Justice Party, the Dutch Party for the Animals’ sister party, is the only political party in the country that seriously fights this hunt.

In the wake of these findings, some large companies, including Dutch Bol.com, ceased the sale of kangaroo leather and other kangaroo products. Animal welfare organisations called on the European Commission to end the European import of kangaroo products. In 2018, the Dutch Party for the Animals already called for a ban following the documentary 'Kangaroo', which revealed shocking footage about the hunt. The European Commission, however, did nothing.

In written questions, the Party for the Animals once more asks for an import ban on kangaroo products. "As long as Europe imports kangaroo products, we are partly responsible for the animal suffering that results from the cruel hunting of these animals and their young. Europe can ban the import of kangaroo products on ethical grounds, as it has done before with seal fur," Hazekamp said.

On the initiative of the Party for the Animals, earlier this year the Dutch parliament called on the Dutch government to commit to working towards a ban on the import of kangaroo products at European level.

Please sign: end the kangaroo hunt!
For years, the Animal Justice Party has, as the only political party in Australia, advocated for the rapid phasing out of the commercial kangaroo hunt and its associated processing industry, and for regulations to protect kangaroos and wallabies.

A petition calling on the European Commission to immediately end the European import of kangaroo meat and skins has been signed by more than 73,000 people. Please add your name as well!