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Today (8 October) NGOs, MEPs and EU residents got here collectively in Brussels – the guts of the EU – to have a good time the top of a historic European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) and ship a robust and clear message to the EU Commission and the Council of the EU.
Compassion in World Farming and representatives of different Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) had been joined by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU Citizens to have a good time the closing of the End the Cage Age ECI, which gained 1,617,405 signatures, making historical past for livestock.
The occasion happened on the coronary heart of the EU space in Brussels, on the esplanade situated reverse Schuman roundabout and between the EU Council and EU Commission buildings. Ode to the Pig, an attention-grabbing 10-metre sculpture of a pig leaping to freedom was on show, whereas movies and speeches had been proven on two screens inside the eyeline of the EU Commission and EU Council buildings. Additionally, an 18-metre round banner with the message “For animals, end caged farming”, was positioned in the midst of Schuman roundabout, seen from all surrounding buildings and pedestrians on the roundabout. Attendees shared images and tales on social media utilizing #EndTheCageAge speaking messages of celebration, dedication and hope.
NGO representatives delivered passionate speeches on the importance of this ECI for livestock and EU residents, in addition to on the extraordinary collaborative effort of over 170 NGOs. “We did it! All of us got here collectively, as mates, as comrades, as animal advocates. And you understand what – we beat the system – we obtained the continent standing up, to say no to cages.
“A year ago, we were contemplating taking on a challenge; an ECI to end cages for farm animals. This is no short order, since most ECIs in the past have failed,” stated Philip Lymbery, CEO at Compassion in World Farming. “The hard work doesn’t stop here – now we must make this ECI count, through advocacy work and legislation.”
Martina Stephany, director for livestock and vitamin at Four Paws, stated: “This ECI has shown that European citizens care a lot about what is happening in the livestock industry. They stand with organisations from different countries and backgrounds, unified behind the goal to End the Cage Age. We will make sure that their voice will be heard. Today this movement made history, but we will not rest until we reach our goal and cages are banned all over Europe.”
MEPs continued by stressing the significance of the End the Cage Age ECI and the way its outcome dictates to the EU Institutions that the time for rapid motion has come.
Eleonora Evi, MEP, vp of the Animal Welfare Intergroup and co-chairwoman of the Cage-Free Working Group, stated: “Today we’re celebrating a record-breaking achievement. Over 1.6 million residents from throughout Europe have stated loud and clear: We need animals out of cages now! Together with different MEPs, we’ll ensure that the European Commission stops ignoring the calls for of its residents, and that it bans cages in farming.”
“The EU claims to have the highest animal welfare standards in the world, but still locks up animals in cages. Hundreds of millions of farm animals in the EU suffer daily, unable to express their natural behaviour”, stated Anja Hazekamp, MEP, president of the Animal Welfare Intergroup and co-chairwoman of the Cage-Free Working Group. “It’s excessive time the EU entered the twenty first century. The torture of those harmless, sentient beings should finish, as soon as and for all.”
One of essentially the most emotive points of the day was the second Angelina Berlingò, an Italian citizen, delivered her speech representing greater than 1.6 million EU Citizens. She campaigned for the ECI and single-handedly collected greater than 2,000 digital and paper signatures. “It’s been a great personal journey to be part of the campaign’s general success”, stated Angelina. “The result of this petition brings hope for a better world for both human and non-human animals. I’m here today to shout once again: End the Cage Age!”
More in regards to the End the Cage Age ECI
The End the Cage Age ECI closed on 11 September, 2019, having gained over 1.6 million signatures throughout a 12-month interval. This marks one of the crucial vital days for livestock that the world has ever seen.
The purpose of the End the Cage Age ECI is to finish the usage of cages for livestock throughout Europe. Over 300 million pigs, hens, rabbits, geese, quail and calves are imprisoned in cages throughout the EU. Most cages are barren, cramped, and deny the animals house to maneuver freely or specific their pure behaviours. Cages are merciless and utterly pointless.
End the Cage Age ECI has been a collaborative effort, the place Compassion in World Farming joined forces with 170 NGOs from throughout Europe. Environmental, client rights and animal safety teams fashioned a broad-based coalition to rally residents from each nook of the continent. This is the primary time in historical past that this variety of European organisations has come collectively for livestock.
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