Newsletter Party for the Animals Europe - February 2025
Dear friends of animals,
A new year, a renewed fight for animals, nature, and the environment in Europe! We are proud to present a new newsletter brought to you by the Animal Politics Foundation. This time we will bring you the latest updates on the campaigns, political actions, and developments from the Party for the Animals in the European Parliament.
Introduction Party for the Animals Europe
Anja Hazekamp (1968) has represented the Dutch Party for the Animals in the European Parliament since 2014. During those eleven years, Anja has achieved multiple victories for the animals and the planet. For example, in 2020, Anja successfully lobbied for the European Parliament to start amending its animal transport law after notices of structural abuses within the animal transport sector. Anja’s efforts moreover led to the installment of a European Commissioner for Animal Welfare to prioritize animal rights within the EU. As a Member of Parliament, Anja also spearheaded new regulations for the protection of pets, stricter rules for slaughterhouses, and a ban on cages in the livestock sector. Having been re-elected once more during the 2024 elections, Anja continues to fight for a livable planet for animals and people!
The latest news of the work of the Party for the Animals Europe:
Stop Whaling in Iceland!
In 2023, Iceland promised to stop whaling, but at the end of 2024, a new hunting permit was granted. The Party for the Animals Europe is calling on the EU to impose trade sanctions and refuse favorable fisheries tariffs for Iceland. Animal suffering must not be rewarded!
Protect Wolves in Europe
On November 26, the Party for the Animals Europe joined a coalition of European animal parties in calling for continued strict protection of wolves. This was in response to Commission President Von der Leyen’s proposal to downgrade the wolf’s protected status.
Fighting Against the Weakening of the EU Deforestation Law
The EU deforestation law, which bans products linked to deforestation from entering the European market, was at risk of being postponed and weakened. Thanks to the efforts of the Party for the Animals, the law remains intact, ensuring continued protection of forests worldwide.
No Free Pass for Climate Polluters
The Party for the Animals Europe opposed the appointment of Wopke Hoekstra as EU Commissioner for Climate & Green Growth. His focus on industrial growth, including factory farming and aviation, is incompatible with the urgent need to combat climate change.
No Seal Products in Europe!
An overwhelming 94% of Europeans voiced their opposition to the sale of seal products. We urged the European Commission to maintain the ban—and continue to follow this issue closely to ensure that seals remain protected against commercial hunting practices.
Action: say no to fossil fuels!
Together with 10 other Members of Parliament, Anja met up with Knitting for Climate to receive their Manifesto calling for a ban of fossil fuels. The Party for the Animals Europe supports their call to issue no new licenses for fossil fuel exploration, forbid fossil fuel exploration by European companies, and halt all public subsidies to fossil fuel companies!
Stay Informed & Get Involved!
Do you want to help create a more animal-friendly Europe? Follow us on social media and stay updated on our actions!
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Together, we make a difference!
Party for the Animals Europe