Call for EU protection to animals

The Malta Animal Rights Coalition has urged the EU to include animal welfare in the EU constitution.

"There is a growing awareness among European citizens of the need to improve the treatment of animals and avoid animal suffering. The EU has long been spearheading the legal protection of animals through various directives and regulations but these animal welfare standards have mainly been a side effect of the completion of the single market and harmonisation," the grouping said.

"To fully safeguard the welfare of animals in farming, in laboratory use, in the wild or in captivity, animal protection provisions should receive a clear legal basis in the EU constitution."

The appeal was made in a statement to coincide with the opening of the EU's intergovernmental conference, today, which will focus on the drafting of the constitution.

The opening of the IGC coincides with World Animal Day.