Bring Animal Welfare into the Maastricht Debate

Do you think lawmakers should take animal welfare more seriously?

If so, from today until the 29th of April, you have the opportunity to ask lead candidates of European parties how committed they are to improve the lives of farmed, wild and companion animals if they are elected. These candidates will be answering citizens’ questions at the debate in Maastricht: Home - Maastricht Debate

What?

The Maastricht debate happens every spring before European elections (every five years). The lead candidates of European parties sit onstage to answer your questions, to help you decide how you want to vote. The debate will focus on three key themes: Climate Change, Foreign and Security Policy, and EU Democracy.

Animal welfare happens to be central to two of those; Climate Change because the intensive rearing of farm animals is a major driver of the climate crisis. Therefore, requiring higher animal welfare standards, equally within Europe and for imports, and providing incentives to do so, is essential for European farmers to be empowered for this transition. Animal welfare is also central to EU Democracy as it has been a recurring theme for the EU’s most important tool for participatory democracy: the European Citizens’ Initiative. Here there are serious questions to be raised following the huge success of the ECIs seeking to end caged farming and fur farming, but no follow-up at policy level, despite clear commitment from the European Commission.

How?

Whatever your question relating to animal welfare and one of these topics may be,?there are two easy steps you can take to make your voice heard:

1. With your smartphone, film yourself in vertical landscape format and ask your question (not statement) in less than 30 seconds.

1. Share your video on Instagram or X with the hashtag #MaastrichtDebate, ideally between the 15th and 22nd of April!

If you want to know more, go to: maastrichtdebate.eu??

Why?

By sending them your question, you will also be showing them that European citizens care about animals! Putting animal welfare at the centre of this public debate will make a huge difference because during elections season, citizens’ voices are louder than ever. Use that voice for those who don’t have one.