The need for EU action to protect cats and dogs

2012-12-19T14:55:06+00:00

A wide range of serious welfare issues can affect dogs and cats in the European Union and some of these can affect them for large parts of, or all of their lives. We are particularly concerned about issues such as irresponsible breeding, trade and movements across borders.

As an important first step, we believe that traceability is critical to addressing a number of these issues. It would, for example, allow owners to know where their new puppy or kitten was bred. It would allow vets to know where a sick animal they are treating has come from, and it would also allow animals to be traced in the event of a disease outbreak.

This is why Eurogroup is calling for European Union legislation to require that dogs and cats are permanently identified and registered on an approved database that is accessible across the EU.

In 2013 we will need your help, so do check back to find out how you can get involved!

Transport of live animals

2011-11-10T09:06:16+00:00

Over one million farm animals are indeed transported every day, some for several days to reach either the slaughterhouse or another farm. The present EU law is not strict enough to protect these animals and it is hardly respected. The long journeys covering many countries make it difficult for the authorities to control the quality of the transport and whether the law is being respected.

In order to better protect animals we are convinced that we need to urgently change the law, ending long distance transport once and for all and providing better conditions when limited transport is required.

We need you to raise the profile of this issue by writing to your Minister of Agriculture and your MEP, urging them to call on the European Commission to introduce new legislation as quickly as possible.

A communication package is also at your disposal in the links below. Should you have any question or need any complementary information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Successful lobbying

2011-07-01T11:23:03+00:00

National Ministers and Members of Parliament

All Member States of the European Union play an important part in approving legislation and it is vital that the relevant ministers are contacted to ensure they understand your concerns. We have provided a list of relevant ministers in each country that you can contact concerning specific animal welfare issues.
Download the List of National Ministers

European Commission

The European Commission has the sole right to propose new legislation in the European Union and we must ensure that the Commissioner in charge of each policy area understands our concern and the implications legislation has on animal welfare. You will find a full list of the European Commissioners at the following link together with their portfolios
Link to European Commissioners

European Parliament

It is essential that you contact the correct Member of the European Parliament and you can locate your own MEP by visiting the following link which provides you with all contact details for all MEPs by country and constituency.
Link to the Members of the European Parliament's database

Contacting your lobby target

All of the tips given below are focussed on MEPs but can be adapted to contact the European Commission or national ministers and MPs or indeed any decision maker operating in the legislative process.

Research shows that decision makers especially MEPs and MPs respond more favourably to individual letters from their constituents than to standard template letters sent by unknown individuals.

Regarding MEPs you can make contact with them during constituency weeks when MEPs return home to meet their local voters. If you feel strongly about an issue you can make an appointment to meet and talk to your MEP. To find out when an MEP will be in their constituency contact your local town hall or the local office of your MEPs political party.

What can an MEP do?

The primary role of an MEP is to represent their constituents’ interests at the European Parliament. Therefore you can request your MEP to undertake specific actions such as:

To meet with you to discuss an issue
Speak or write to your national government concerning specific activities
Present a written or oral question in the European parliament requiring a response from the European Commission or the European Council
Propose or sign a written declaration on a specific topic
Speak in a debate
Develop an own initiative report
Introduce amendments to existing Reports or opinions of the Parliament
Raise issues during specific committee meetings
Take part in an intergroup activity or meeting
Influence their own political group

Meeting an MEP

It is essential to do some homework and understand who your MEP is, their biographies are regularly found on their own websites or in reference books at most public libraries. It is also worth keeping an eye out for local media articles to understand what particular interests or concerns your MEP has.
It is always important to prepare well in advance of a meeting. This includes outlining your reasons for the meeting when contacting the MEP, they need to prepare as well

Decide who will go ensuring that you keep the number small and have a balance in sex, age and interests. This will show the broad local concern regarding an issue.

Always plan who will start the meeting and introduce the others, the points you wish to make and who is going to make them. It is recommended that you take notes and ensure you have relevant factual material with you. Also make sure you have a clear goal and all know what you are asking for during the meeting.

During the meeting

Just before you start, remind yourself why you are going. In particular remind yourself of your arguments and justification and the reason you are there.
Make careful notes especially if any clear action points are agreed.
When your MEP sounds sympathetic try to convince them to make specific commitments.
Remain calm and businesslike as it is important to try to build a relationship that will recognise you as an expert and source of knowledge as well as opening the door for future meetings.

Follow up

Once the meeting is over meet up and discuss to ensure you all have a clear understanding and record of the points discussed, including any specific actions or commitments.
Write to your MEP and thank them for the meeting and summarise the key action points as you understand them.
Decide on what if any follow up you are going to do including organising any follow up of the meeting.
If you feel you have been unsuccessful in convincing your MEP look for natural allies that may carry more weight or influence and work with them.

Eurogroup for Animals - Campaigns

The need for EU action to protect cats and dogs

Transport of live animals

Successful lobbying