Eurogroup for Animals - Campaigns

Transport of live animals

2011-11-10T10:06:36+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.

Help me break free!

2011-09-23T18:00:12+00:00

We as European citizens can act now to change this situation by putting as much pressure as possible on the European authorities, national governments and major egg users to ensure this ban is respected and that no further extensions or derogations are granted.

Each and every one of us can make a difference every time we buy or eat an egg, whether it be by challenging your local supermarket, café, restaurant or holiday hotel or asking your work place caterer or local council to ensure that all their eggs come from non-cage systems.

We must take our responsibilities seriously to ensure Europe becomes a cage free zone. Join us and act today! Click on the link below to find out more.

Clone Free Food

2011-09-07T09:25:19+00:00

Genetic selection must always seek to maximise the wellbeing of the resultant animal. Animal breeding should support a diverse gene pool in order that the genetic resources to maximise wellbeing are sustained for future generations. Techniques and technologies used in animal reproduction must not be used if they cause distress or suffering.

For these reasons Eurogroup is opposed to the cloning of animals and would urge the EU to introduce an immediate ban on the cloning of animals for food production, and on the sale of imported food products from cloned animals and their offspring. Eurogroup is concerned that delaying a decision will mean that food from cloned animals will enter the supply chain uncontrolled and without consideration of the opposition of EU citizens and consumers.

Help us to stamp out cloning from EU plates by signing our Declaration at the following address: http://www.clonefreefood.eu

The need for EU action to protect cats and dogs

2011-09-02T13:11:41+00:00

Irresponsible owners dump their animals and these often end up on the street or in shelters. A lack of care and treatment can affect their health and welfare and diseases from pets can and often do cause illness in humans.

With more people travelling with their animal and more animals being traded we think it is high time for the European Union to act and to introduce common rules for all countries to improve the situation of all cats and dogs in Europe.

The European Commission is currently drafting a new strategy on animal welfare and it is key that Europe’s citizens let them know that we care deeply about the welfare of companion animals and that we want the European Union to take responsibility.

Currently a Written Declaration on dog population management has been presented to the European Parliament and we need you to call on your own Members of the European Parliament to sign this Written Declaration as a first step in building a strategy that protects all cats and dogs across Europe;

You can find a list of your Members of the European Parliament and their contact details here

End testing of animals for cosmetics

2011-09-01T12:53:05+00:00

The EU has decided to end the use of animals to test the safety of cosmetic products but still three animal tests can be used until 2013. The EU is currently deciding decide whether or not to allow the use of animals after 2013 or to bring an end to all animal tests then. We believe that it is totally unacceptable to make animals suffer just to produce a new lipstick! The industry already has nearly 20000 ingredients which have already been tested and found to be safe which it can use and can develop further ingredients using already existing alternative test methods without the use of animals.

In autumn 2011 the European Commission will decide to whether to propose a complete ban or to continue the use of animals until alternative test have been developed. Help us to end all animal testing in 2012 by writing to:

Commissioner Dalli

European Commission
B-1049 Brussels
Or emailing him on: john.dalli@ec.europa.eu

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.