To the President
of the European Council
Sampletown, 11. 3. 2010
Animal welfare and EU Reform Treaty
Dear Mr President,
I wish to address you as President of the European Council regarding the following issue:
Animal welfare has fortunately been included in the European Reform Treaty in the form intended for Article III -121 of the EU Constitution. Many people have worked and campaigned hard for this goal.
Unfortunately the protection of animals is subject to an inappropriate limitation in the current wording. Religious rites, cultural tradition and regional heritage are granted pre-eminence in the case of conflicting interests with animal welfare. I see herein the danger of unaltered animal suffering. Therefore I urge you to undertake efforts during your Council Presidency to remove this passage. I also urge you to work toward the development of animal protection as an unmitigated objective of the European Union.
The EU Reform Treaty is expected to enter into force in 2009. However, even now, it represents a consensus between the EU and its member states. A strengthening of animal protection must therefore now already be reflected in regulations and court rulings.
I therefore urgently request that you publish a report at the end of your Council Presidency, which will document whether the Union objective of animal welfare has already had an effect on the Rulings of the European Court of Justice and on EU Regulations.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Smith
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