Achievement
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goat
Brussels, 9 May 2024 – GAIA welcomes the new Flemish Animal Welfare Code that was approved today in the Flemish Parliament. GAIA President Michel Vandenbosch stated: “While this Animal Welfare Code isn’t perfect, it undeniably represents considerable progress."
8 May 2024

The final approval of the new Flemish Animal Welfare Code put forward by Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) marks a significant leap forward in the protection of animals in Flanders. Alongside existing bans and regulations, this Code includes important new measures that GAIA has long campaigned for.

With the adoption of this text, Flanders becomes the second region in the country to adopt an Animal Welfare Code, after Wallonia, which adopted its own in 2018. Brussels now remains the only region in the country without a comprehensive animal welfare text.

New provisions for better animal welfare

  1. A ban on all cage systems for laying hens, with a transition period until 2036 for existing farms.
  2. Mandatory shelter for all animals kept outside by 2029.
  3. A general ban on the home slaughter of pigs, goats, and sheep.
  4. Restrictions on animal markets: animals may only be sold at markets a maximum of eight times a year.
  5. Mandatory animal police service in each police zone.
  6. A ban on killing animals for folklore practices/events.
  7. A ban on glue traps to control so called pest.
  8. The standstill principle, which prevents laws and regulations from being rolled back.
  9. The recognition of animals as sentient beings with intrinsic value.
  10. A ban on breeding roosters for fighting.
  11. A specific statute for exotic and wild animal sanctuaries.

 

Missing and diluted measures

These points highlight a notable improvement in the situation of many animals. However, there are significant shortcomings as well. Firstly, some measures have excessively lengthy transition periods. Secondly, conditions have been added to certain measures, diminishing their effectiveness. 

A case in point is the watering down of the ban on the sale of live animals in markets, a concession made by the Flemish Government under pressure from certain local authorities. GAIA calls for a complete abolition of the sale of live animals in markets, because in all cases, and regardless of their frequency, such markets have serious negative effects on the welfare and health of animals (increased risk of impulse purchases, spread of infectious diseases, poor housing and stressful transport conditions). In fact, the Brussels Parliament has recently enacted a ban on animals in markets without restriction.

The ban on the killing of one-day-old chicks has also been watered down, rendering it virtually ineffective for now. The Flemish Government has not yet determined the date when the ban will come into effect. GAIA is therefore calling on the next government to introduce an effective ban, especially as effective alternatives are available on the market, such as in-ovo sexing.

Finally, there is still no real phase-out plan for the dolphins kept at the country's last dolphinarium (Bruges). It is unreasonable to delay the decision on the fate of the captive dolphins until after an initial assessment in 2037. These animals deserve to be transferred as quickly as possible to a suitable environment, such as the marine sanctuary in a bay on the Greek island of Lipsi, where they can spend the rest of their lives in semi-liberty.

Earlier this spring, the world-renowned biologist, anthropologist and UN peace ambassador Dr. Jane Goodall addressed Flemish MPs in a video message and an open letter. In her appeal against keeping cetaceans in captivity, she called for progressive measures to end the detention of dolphins at the Bruges dolphinarium.