14
Mar
2024
Watch
Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives (debate)
(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, guaranteeing animal welfare is a moral obligation, as well as a civic duty towards our four-legged friends who bring love and affection into our lives, but also towards all those animals destined for commercial purposes. For this reason, we must adopt strict controls on farms and in the trafficking of animals of affection, so as to avoid any form of abuse and ill-treatment, while ensuring that buyers are aware of the importance of choosing ethical sources. At the same time, we must ensure that the livestock sector also adopts best practices and complies with EU standards, which are the highest in the world. This not only guarantees the welfare of the animals, but also the quality of the products we consume. However, we must not fall into the error of demonising an entire sector for the non-observance of a few. Strictly punish those who transgress, absolutely yes, but without forgetting that the vast majority of operators work with dedication and respect for animals. We cannot afford to adopt ideological measures that risk bringing entire farms to their knees without bringing any real benefit to animal welfare. Only by working together, institutions and industry, can we ensure a better future for the animals that deserve our respect and protection. (The speaker rejected a "blue card" question by Niels Fuglsang)