Last News and Events
Italian Supreme Court: keeping live lobsters on ice in a restaurant is mistreatment
The Italian Supreme Court sentences a restaurant to a 5,000EUR fine for keeping lobster on ice. The high court confirms that crustaceans are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain if they are mistreated. The Italian Supreme Court states that lobster feel pain if they are kept on ice before being taken to a kitchen, particularly if their claws are tied. Those that follow this practice are considered to be mistreating the animal, as per Article 727 of the Italian criminal code. Because of this, the Supreme Court sanctioned the Campi Bisenzio restaurant in Florence to a 5,000EUR fine, in addition to paying compensation damages to the LAV (Antivivisection League). …
15.05.2017 – FOUR PAWS selected for membership of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare.
Brussels 15.05.2017 – The international animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is pleased to announce that it has been selected for membership of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare. The aim of the “Platform on Animal Welfare”, launched by Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, is to “promote an enhanced dialogue on animal welfare issues at EU level among competent authorities, businesses, civil society and scientists.” The Platform is composed of 40 members, in representation of business and professional organisations, NGOs, and independent scientific experts. Animal welfare organisations will be represented by, FOUR PAWS International, Eurogroup for Animals, Animals’ Angels e.V., Compassion in World Farming, European Forum for Animal Welfare Councils (EuroFAWC), Humane Society International, Organisation…
The Benelux Interparliamentary Assembly adopts by unanimity the recommendation on unscrupulous dog trade
FOUR PAWS welcomes the adoption of the recommendation. Brussels, 03.05.2017 – The International animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS is pleased with the adoption by the Benelux Interparliamentary Assembly of the recommendation that was drafted by Ms Sabine Vermeulen, member of the Benelux Parliament, introducing measures to tackle the unscrupulous practices of puppy trade. The recommendation which will be published soon considers several problems, such as the need to enforce the tractability of dogs and cross-border cooperation. FOUR PAWS closely followed the elaboration of the recommendation. Pierre SULTANA, Director of the European Policy Office of FOUR PAWS in Brussels, expressed his satisfaction regarding the vote and explains that: “our organization has…
Italian transposition of the Lab Animals Directive still in infringement
On February 15 2017, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion (second step of the infringement process) to Italy for not having transposed properly the EU Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Directive 2010/63/EU). Already in April 2016, a letter of formal notice was sent to Italy by the EU Commission. If the Italian authorities fail to act within two months, the case may be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU. This Directive, which should have been enacted into national law by 10 November 2012, ensures a high level of animal welfare while safeguarding the proper functioning of the internal market. It also aims to minimise…
Welcome to the Maltese Presidency of the EU
Malta will hold the EU Council Presidency from January 2017 to June 2017. More information about the Maltese EU Council Presidency can be found online.