Animals are living creatures, not gadgets, toys or accessories and no products or means to entertain people. Animals deserve proper protection. This starts with the recognition of their rights and respect for their own nature and needs. It defines the limits of the purposes for which animals may be used.
We want to move away from the automatic assumption that animals can be used for just any purpose. Entertainment, sports, advertising purposes and fashion are not good reasons to use, harm or kill animals.
The welfare of animals is in peril due to the manner in which they are bred, traded, held and slaughtered. Any abuse or neglect of animals by humans calls for immediate and strong action.
Better camera surveillance in slaughterhouses can prevent abuse. A proposal to this effect by the Dutch Party for the Animals was recently adopted by the House of Representatives. "Animal-friendly slaughter does not exist, but as long as there are slaughterhouses, we must do everything we can to limit animal suffering as much as possible," said Leonie Vestering, MP of the Party for the Animals and...