After years of political negotiations, the Belgian Federal Parliament adopted, on the night of May 2 to 3, the inclusion of ” animal wellbeing “ in the Constitution. A paragraph, added to article 7 bis devoted to the general policy of the kingdom, now specifies: “ In exercising their respective powers, the federal state, communities and regions ensure the protection and well-being of animals as sentient beings. »
In a press release, the Belgian animal rights association Gaia welcomes a “historical breakthrough”the culmination of a fight started in 2018. Belgium thus becomes the sixth member state of the European Union to confer constitutional protection on animals (after Germany, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Italy and Austria).
“Including animal welfare in the highest law of our country, the one which is above all others and which applies to the entire territory, is highly symbolic, rejoices Claire Hugon, federal deputy from the Ecolo party and rapporteur of the text. We are sending a very strong signal to all levels of power: animals are sensitive beings and we must ensure their protection and well-being. » In 2020, a modification of the civil code had already made it possible to recognize the nature ” sensitive “ animals and their “biological needs”creating an “animal” category alongside those of “people” and “goods”.
“An additional weapon”
In the immediate future, citizens should not see any major changes in their daily lives, particularly because respect for animal welfare is a responsibility delegated to the three regions, all of which have a minister of animal welfare.
“The text does not bring mandatory changes for citizens, we expect this from legislators and political leaders”, insists Claire Hugon. Without waiting for inclusion in the Constitution, the Walloon region had already put in place an animal welfare code in 2018. This, for example, makes it compulsory to obtain an “animal keeping permit”prohibits the sale of animals in markets as well as slaughter without stunning and breeding for fur production. “This law is an extremely important step forward. It will have an impact, but it will take time, underlines Michel Vandenbosch, president of the association Action Group in the Interest of Animals (GAIA). It is in the long term that these changes with regard to animal welfare will be seen, through both case law and legislation. »
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