This new leaflet outlines some of the achievements of the European Union in the area of animal protection.

• EU politicians agreed to ban the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics in 1993; the ban was the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
• Seal fur is no longer sold in European shops thanks to the EU seal product ban.
• Trade in endangered species is banned throughout the EU.
• Europe’s nature laws protect precious species and habitats in all 28 EU member countries.

Jean said: “The EU has introduced some of the strongest animal protection rules that exist anywhere in the world. These laws apply in all 28 EU countires and were adopted because people campaigned for them. Together we have shaped European law.” 

‘What Europe is doing for animals‘ can be downloaded here.

The post What is the EU doing for animals? appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, welcomed today’s decision by the European Parliament to end EU subsidies for bullfighting.  This will “further strengthen the EU’s reputation as a world-leader on animal protection” she said.

Green Party MEP for the South East, Keith Taylor, added that the vote to end the “misplaced” EU subsidies could be “a massive blow to the industry”.

Their comments came after a majority of MEPs voted in support of an amendment to the EU budget which called for agricultural payments to be withdrawn from all land being used to rear bulls for bullfighting. According to a 2013 report called Torres and Taxes, no less than €129.6 million is spent by the European Union on subsidising bullfighting each year.

Jean Lambert said:

“I’m extremely pleased that the European Parliament voted for today’s Green amendment to stop EU subsidies benefiting bullfighting.

“The EU has some of the best animal protection laws are in the world, but this record has been marred by agriculture subsidies being misused in this way.

“This vote will further strengthen the EU’s reputation as a world-leader on animal protection and should, I hope, end EU money subsidising this cruel practice, which many people rightly want banned.”

Keith Taylor said:

“I am delighted that MEPs have voted today to stop EU money being used to prop up the bullfighting industry.

“Bullfighting is barbaric and cruel and, without the support of misplaced EU farming subsidies, it’s a failing business. While the vote today will not stop bullfighting, it could be a massive blow to the industry – stopping millions of pounds going to those involved.”

Green MEPs called for the subsidy to end in 2014. See here.

Notes

1. 438 MEPs voted in favour, and 199 against the following amendment:

26 c. Reiterates that CAP appropriations or any other appropriations from the budget should not be used for financing lethal bull fighting activities; recalls that such funding is a clear violation of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (Council Directive 98/58/EC);

The post Green MEPs welcome European Parliament vote to end bullfighting subsidies appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Visiting Ealing Animal Welfare Bazaar with Caroline Allen, Green Party Animals’ spokesperson, Ms Lambert met campaigners working on issues ranging from stray dogs in Ealing to global wildlife protection laws.

Speaking after the event, she said: “Ealing Animal Welfare Bazaar has been running for more than three decades, and has become a great event for meeting some of the key campaigners working on animal welfare issues around the world.

“Organisations doing great work on the ground to protect animals here in London – such as Doris Banham Dog Rescue and the Blue Cross – and international campaign groups like WWF and the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research boast very different areas of specialism, and don’t often gather under the same roof.

“That’s what makes this event so successful: it’s a chance to learn about – and support – the work of so many of these groups. I’ve certainly learnt a lot about how to best promote animal welfare at EU level, and I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Ms Lambert also met Green Party members and Friends of the Earth activists at the event.

The post London MEP meets global animal activists in Ealing appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Parliament’s resolution, adopted with a large majority, asks CITES to step up its commitments when parties meet in Bangkok (Thailand) from 3 to 14 March.

Several shark species should be added to the list of animals whose trade must be controlled and polar bears should be put in a higher profile CITES category to continue to raise awareness of their situation, MEPs said. The resolution also urged countries to step up the fight against poaching of elephants and rhinos for their ivory and horn.

Green MEP Jean Lambert said the EU had a key role to play in efforts to protect endangered wildlife.

Speaking after the vote, she said: “Protecting threatened wildlife species isn’t just about providing viable alternatives to poaching in the developing world, it’s about protecting habitats and adopting wildlife-friendly and sustainable trade, agriculture and development policies.

“The EU must take this message to the CITES conference in March, and show some real leadership in making sure some of the world’s most threatened wildlife doesn’t fall victim to human economic activity.

” As well as helping nations prevent poaching, we must seek to end the dubious practise of CITES votes being taken in secret, so countries don’t have to admit their views on protecting individual species in public. This has to become more transparent.”

The post EU must take lead in protecting endangered wildlife appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Dear Sir,

“Fury at Minister’s ‘astounding refusal to ban deadly bird poison”, 18th October 2012

By refusing to place an outright ban on the use of the deadly poison carbofuran, the Wildlife Minister Richard Benyon is not only cosily sidling up to his friends on Britain’s shooting estates, but he is also attempting to sidestep an important piece of EU legislation put in place to protect our majestic and beautiful birds of prey.

Under the EU Birds Directive, the UK Government is legally obliged to take the necessary steps to protect all bird species living naturally in the wild.  This vital piece of legislation also makes it a crime to deliberately kill or capture the bird species covered by the Directive, which in the UK’s case, includes the Golden Eagle, the White-tailed Eagle and the Buzzard.  Since 2002, over 200 birds of these species have been callously poisoned by carbonfuran, with scant regard paid to protective measures laid out in the Directive.

By burying his head in the sand over the rampant use of carbonfuran on game estates across the UK, the Minister is at best guilty of pandering to the interests of the shooting lobby and at worst of turning a blind eye to widespread and devastating instances of wildlife crime.

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London
Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East

The post Letter to the Independent on deadly bird poison appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Dogs Trust Freedom Project is a free foster care service for dogs belonging to families fleeing from domestic violence and seeking refuge in temporary accommodation centres that can’t accept pets. The service operates in Greater London, as well as Hertfordshire and Yorkshire, and places pets with an experienced foster carer until the owner is in a position to have them back.

Commenting after the visit, Jean Lambert MEP said: “I really enjoyed my visit to Dogs Trust, and learned a lot more about the service that the Freedom Project offers to my constituents in the Greater London area. The Project provides invaluable assistance to people who wish to escape domestic violence but may be hesitant to do so for fear of leaving a beloved pet behind. I am aware, however, that the service cannot exist without the wonderful support of volunteer foster carers, and would urge Londoners to consider supporting the Project by signing up to become foster carers if possible.”

Dogs Trust Outreach Projects Manager, Clare Kivlehan, said: “We were delighted to welcome Jean to Dogs Trust and explain more about the work we do for families fleeing domestic violence across London as part of the Freedom Project. We would like to encourage anyone wishing to escape an abusive situation with their dog to contact the Project for assistance”.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. There are eighteen rehoming centres across the UK and one in Ireland, and substantial resources are invested in information services, outreach projects, and education on responsible dog ownership.

The post Jean lends support to Dogs Trust Freedom Project appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Keith visited an RSPCA animal shelter in Sussex to meet with staff to hear about the rehoming and rehabilitation work the organisation does in the South East.  He also spent time with one of the RSPCA’s Inspectors to observe the important rescue work that he carries out on a daily basis.

Jean recently visited ‘Wild Place Your Space’, a pioneering community garden which has been created near to London’s Olympic Park and is part funded by the RSPB.  She discovered how the project is encouraging local residents, many from minority ethnic communities, who live without access to green, open spaces to discover the diverse wildlife that lives on their doorstep.

This article is taken from ‘Making Tracks’, a newsletter from the UK’s Green MEPs about their work on animal rights. To receive a copy by email or post please email jeanlambert@greenmeps.org.uk or you can download a PDF copy of this newsletter.

The post Making Tracks: Building links with local charities appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Jean wrote to the Home Office following concerns from anti-vivisection campaigners who were worried that the EU Directive on animal experiments could water down existing protection for stray domestic animals.

The Government has since reiterated that a comprehensive ban on the use of strays will remain in place.  Jean has welcomed the news as a broadly positive outcome, but remains concerned that the UK’s transposition of the Directive could weaken inspection standards, stall progress on the issue of transparency in laboratories and allow for the continuation of some of the most severe experiments still permitted under the legislation.

This article is taken from ‘Making Tracks’, a newsletter from the UK’s Green MEPs about their work on animal rights. To receive a copy by email or post please email jeanlambert@greenmeps.org.uk or you can download a PDF copy of this newsletter.

The post Making Tracks: No experiments on stray animals appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

The controversial trade was outlawed in the EU in 2009 following an historic vote which saw the majority of MEPs vote in favour of closing Europe’s markets to products made from commercially slaughtered seals. The Canadian government has since taken formal action against the sanction at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), arguing that the vote is a clear violation of EU trade obligations.

Today’s amendment, part of a wide-ranging resolution on EU-Canada trade relations, calls on Canada to withdraw its WTO challenge prior to the ratification of the bilateral Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which will set out the framework for a closer economic partnership [1].

During 2010 an estimated 67,327 harp seals were slaughtered during Canada’s annual hunt, each one clubbed and shot under cruel conditions primarily for their fur [2].  This year, the Canadian government has sanctioned the slaughter of 400,000 seals [3].  Canadian legal experts have estimated the cost of the WTO challenge at $10 million, more than seven times the landed value of last year’s hunt [4].

Speaking after the vote, Jean said: “The EU ban on the barbaric trade of seal products was a real victory for the global campaign against animal cruelty.  By closing the door on fur and other seal products, Parliament took meaningful action to save hundreds of thousands of seals from being cruelly killed.

“The Canadian government’s WTO challenge flies in the face of European animal welfare law and also acts as a direct attack on the democratic values of the majority of Europeans and Canadians who support the ban on seal products [5].  The European Parliament must continue to take a firm stance on this cruel practice in any Europe-Canada trade negotiations.”

Keith Taylor MEP, a member of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, said: “During the International Trade Committee’s debates on the proposed new EU-Canada trade agreement I have repeatedly highlighted Canada’s barbaric practice of seal culling. The EU ban on seal products reflects the views of Europeans who do not want to play a part in this cruel industry. It is high time the Canadian government accepted that the ban should not be overturned by the WTO and stopped trying to challenge the democratic decision of the European Parliament.”

Notes to Editor

1. The full resolution can be read here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2011-0344&language=EN
2. For information on Canada’s annual seal hunt, please visit: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/seal-phoque/faq-eng.htm#_5
3. For information on the 2011 seal hunt quota, please visit: http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=15&ea.campaign.id=9830
4. http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/news/releases/2011/04/trade_talks_screen_041211.html
5. National polling in 2007 and 2008 confirms the overwhelming majority of Canadians support the right of the EU to ban seal product trade: http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/news/releases/2011/04/trade_talks_screen_041211.html

The post Green MEPs welcome European Parliament defence of seal product ban appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011, launched by conservation charity Born Free, has to date evaluated over 200 zoos in 21 member states to assess their compliance with national and European law.  Preliminary findings of the inquiry show that the 2002 directive is not being effectively implemented and enforced in the majority of EU Member States, with many zoos keeping their animals in substandard and inadequate conditions.

Since 2005, all zoos in the majority of EU Member States are required to meet the basic requirements of the EC Zoos Directive and through the licensing and inspection of zoos, to adopt a series of measures into national law that oblige zoos to conserve bio-diversity, educate the public and maintain their animals in conditions that meet their specific needs.

Jean said: “Sadly, the results of the EU Zoo Inquiry are anything but encouraging.  Not one of the twenty countries investigated are meeting all their legal obligations as set out in the EC Zoos Directive. The European Union acts as a standard bearer for countries overseas and how we treat our animals should be no exception.  

“Zoos that are failing to provide even the most basic standards of animal welfare are illegal and should be closed.  I urge the European Commission to take this issue seriously and do more to ensure that Member States are complying with the legal requirements.” 

Notes to Editors

1. To learn more about the EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 please visit: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/zoo-check/zoos/eu-zoo-inquiry

The post Green MEP calls for improved standards in Europe’s zoos appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.