News

GAIA calls upon the WHO to intervene and urge countries worldwide to take drastic measures against wet markets, and trade in bushmeat and wild caught animals.

GAIA informs

25 March 2020

GAIA’s position is clear: it is, besides an analysis of the effects of COVID-19 on human health and the economy, needed to identify the deeper underlying cause of COVID-19 and tackle it. GAIA finds that the World Health Organisation (WHO), as soon as the tidal wave of contamination dies down, must intervene and urge involved countries worldwide to take drastic measures against wet markets, trade in bushmeat and wild caught animals and live cattle transports to third countries (these live transports may spread animal diseases too).
Paprika and e5 mode join Fur Free Retailers

Achievement

05 March 2020

The list of brands and shops that go Fur Free grows longer and longer. e5 mode and Paprika are recent additions to the list. “Consumers are no longer willing to support the suffering of animals,” says GAIA Director Ann De Greef. “Clothing brands are clearly aware of this and ready to take the step to go Fur Free."
Belgian supermarkets cease the sale of kangaroo meat

Achievement

20 January 2020

Following a week of targeted activity, GAIA successfully convinced Carrefour Belgium, Makro, Cora, Match and eventually Spar (Colruyt Group) to discontinue the sale of kangaroo meat. “We commend the decisions taken by these supermarket chains. By removing kangaroo meat from their shelves, Carrefour Belgium, Cora, Makro, Match and Spar send an important signal to both the government and consumers: there is no room for kangaroo meat in our supermarkets, declares Ann De Greef, GAIA Director. The time has come for parliamentarians to address the unacceptable kangaroo meat sale and demand that the federal minister of Economic Affairs, Nathalie Muylle (CD&V), bans Belgian imports of kangaroo meat.
Forest fires in Australia: several supermarkets stop the sale of kangaroo meat

Achievement

15 January 2020

Last year, GAIA launched its ‘Save the kangaroos’ campaign. By sharing shocking images and hard facts, the animal rights organisation has already managed to convince several major supermarkets – including Delhaize – to remove kangaroo meat from their shelves. ‘The current forest fires break our hearts’, says GAIA Director, Ann De Greef. ‘Despite everything that’s happened, kangaroos continue to be hunted in Australia. Over the past few days, we’ve done everything in our power to convince the rest of the supermarkets to stop selling kangaroo meat. And it’s paid off. Yesterday, Carrefour Belgium decided to discontinue its sale of kangaroo meat.’ A few days later Cora and Makro followed their decision.
TURKEY WELFARE FORGOTTEN BY THE LEGISLATOR

GAIA action

20 December 2019

In October 2019, GAIA field researchers examined the situation at three turkey farms in West Flanders. What they found were distressing situations in an unregulated sector: thousands of turkeys crammed into tight spaces, severely weakened, dying and injured animals, covered in all manner of wounds, turkeys with severely damaged feathers, animals with dead skin on their backs and flanks, carcasses in an advanced state of decomposition, poultry house floors covered with faeces, turkeys smeared with faeces, etc.
GAIA NEWS WINTER 2019

GAIA informs

05 December 2019

Update on the achievements of GAIA during the periode of september - december 2019.
Brigitte Bardot supports GAIA’s campaign against kangaroo meat

GAIA action

26 November 2019

In an open letter to Carrefour Belgium, Carrefour France, Cora and Auchan, Brigitte Bardot condemns the sale of kangaroo meat in their stores. By doing so, the world-renowned actress has aligned herself with GAIA’s ‘Save the kangaroo’ campaign.
Brigitte Bardot receives the GAIA Lifetime Achievement Award

GAIA action

13 October 2019

Brigitte Bardot—who celebrated her 85th birthday on 28 September—has received the GAIA Lifetime Achievement Award. The award itself reveals why she is the one to receive it: two open hands lifting up seven animals, including a horse, lamb, and seal. Plus the inscription: ‘And God created the advocate for animals rights’, as a symbol of her tremendous efforts and activities.
Aïki Noodles more respectful of chickens

GAIA informs

10 October 2019

In close collaboration with GAIA, Continental Foods - the Belgian leader in agri-food - commits to no longer sourcing chickens bred to grow extremely quickly in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany and Sweden by 2026.
GAIA goes on a campaign tour against cages

GAIA action

16 August 2019

On 25 July, GAIA launched its summer campaign in Brussels, attended by an outstanding ambassador: the Belgian sprinter Kevin Borlée. Hundreds of ‘Cage Fighters’ have been imprisoned in 12 Belgian cities.
Slaughtering without stunning: 17 associations demand a ban in Brussels

GAIA action

09 August 2019

Wallonia and Flanders both decided to ban slaughtering without stunning within their own regions. Brussels Region alone has not yet reached a decision on the subject. 17 associations demand a ban in an open letter to the Government and Brussels Parliament.
Animal welfare: upgrade to a ministerial job in Brussels

GAIA informs

18 July 2019

On 18 July, Brussels-Capital Region got a new government. Good news: responsibility for animal welfare now comes within the remit of a Minister, Bernard Clerfayt (DéFI) instead of a Secretary of State (Bianca Debaets, CD&V in the previous legislature).
New ‘Cruelty Free Europe’ coalition aims to end animal testing in Europe

GAIA action

16 July 2019

On the 10th of July, Cruelty Free Europe was launched in Brussels. This new coalition, represented in Belgium by GAIA, aims to end animal testing in Europe.
Kentucky Fried Chicken signs the Better Chicken Commitment

GAIA informs

12 July 2019

KFC decided, in close co-operation with GAIA, to raise the welfare standards of its chickens. The chain is promising to end the use of rapid-growth breeds of chicken for its restaurants in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands and United Kingdom, by 2026.
Horse meat from Argentina, Uruguay and Canada depends on widespread animal suffering

GAIA action

26 June 2019

The road American horsemeat follows to get to our country is still strewn with an enormous amount of abuse, neglect, and fraud. This has been shown by new investigation carried out in Uruguay, Argentina, and Canada by the Tierschutzbund Zurich and Animal Welfare Foundation, both partner organisations of GAIA.
Aoste opts for improved chicken welfare in close cooperation with GAIA

Achievement

24 June 2019

Based on its close cooperation with GAIA, the meat processing company Aoste has decided to gradually switch to the 1-star ‘Beter Leven Keurmerk’ (Better Life Label) for all its poultry products.
Unanimous decision to ban fur farming and force feeding

Achievement

19 June 2019

Global Action in the Interest of Animals (GAIA) applauds yesterdays unanimous decision by the Flemish parliament to ban fur farming and force feeding for fois gras production.
57,025 signatures for a lower VAT rate

GAIA informs

27 April 2019

On 25 April 2019, the VAT reduction was approved by the Chamber.
Brussels Capital region bans hybrid and (Scottish) Fold cats

Achievement

15 April 2019

The Brussels-Capital Region approved the first reading of a draft proposal to ban breeding, selling and keeping hybrid cats and the ‘Fold’ cats.
Flanders bans fireworks

04 April 2019

On 3 April the Flemish Parliament unanimously approved the decree proposal that forbids the use of fireworks, crackers, carbide cannons and sky lanterns unless a municipal or city government has given express permission for their use.
GAIA launches a slaughter-free meat campaign

GAIA action

13 March 2019

Is it possible to produce real meat without slaughtering animals and as such without the mass killing of animals? That is precisely the point of ‘cell-based meat’ or ‘slaughter-free meat’, a technological revolution that GAIA is proposing by way of a new website: www.kweekvlees.be and www.viandecultivee.be.
GAIA wants to ban kangaroo meat in Belgium

GAIA action

29 January 2019

Each year, about 1.6 million kangaroos are hunted and killed in particularly cruel conditions. This statistic makes the kangaroo the most hunted wild animal in the world. Unfortunately, Belgium is partly responsible for maintaining this commercial hunt, as it is the world's largest importer of kangaroo meat for human consumption.
What will change for animals on January 1, 2019?

GAIA informs

28 December 2018

On January 1, 2019, many things will change in terms of animal welfare.
Sodexo removes foie gras from its menu

GAIA informs

23 December 2018

The company made this decision in consultation with the animal rights organization GAIA. A first in the business world.
Puppy mills: a shameless business

GAIA action

03 December 2018

In Belgium, many puppies have been acquired from bad breeders. The young animals sold by these businesses are often sick, weak, unsocialized and have been separated prematurely from their mothers.
Images so shocking they had to be "pig-xellised"

GAIA action

16 November 2018

GAIA has launched a new campaign calling for a ban on surgical castration of piglets. It has been years that the political world and pig breeders’ organisations have been promising the end of this painful practice. It's time to evolve.
End the Cage Age for all the EU's farm animals

GAIA action

23 October 2018

Across Europe, billions of animals are farmed in cages. The time has come to stand up and End the Cage Age.
Wallonia adopts an ambitious Animal Welfare Code

GAIA informs

03 October 2018

GAIA welcomes the Parliament of Wallonia’s adoption this afternoon of the Walloon Code of Animal Welfare. The Animal Welfare Code is an initiative of Minister of Animal Welfare Carlo Di Antonio (cdH).
GAIA-Sommertour: Das «Catmobil» sorgte am Freitag in Eupen für Aufsehen

GAIA action

17 August 2018

GAIA verlangt eine Kürzung der Mehrwertsteuer für die Sterilisierung von Katzen
Breaking News: Flemish government bans fur farming and force-feeding for foie gras

Achievement

22 July 2018

"Finally! After more than 20 years of campaigning we've achieved our goal: GAIA's president Michel Vandenbosch is excited about the decision of the Flemish government to ban fur farming and force-feeding for the production of foie gras.
Brussels Government’s decision to reduce animal experiments

Achievement

19 July 2018

"It’s a good start and we’ve achieved one of our main goals as well, however a lot of work remains to be done"
European Court of Justice: the ban on slaughter without stunning in temporary slaughterhouses is not contrary to religious freedom

Achievement

29 May 2018

Michel Vandenbosch: "Slaughter without stunning in temporary slaughterhouses was, is and will remain illegal"
Wallonia adopts an ambitious Animal Welfare Code

26 April 2018

GAIA welcomes several major advances for animal welfare in Wallonia, including a ban on battery caged hens – a first in Belgium!
GAIA’s undercover investigation reveals the living hell of broiler chickens in Belgium

13 March 2018

"Supermarkets can stop this intolerable suffering"
Flemish Government mandates the sterilization of cats

Achievement

27 December 2017

A measure we have been urging for a long time, which will save thousands of cats from being abandoned in shelters
Pamela Anderson writes a letter to Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare, Ben Weyts

GAIA action

16 December 2017

“Keep your promise to ban fur farming in Flanders"
A first in Belgium: GAIA organises the first, official, animal-friendly low noise fireworks display

GAIA action

16 November 2017

“A significant and undeniable advance in animal welfare, without neglecting the festive spirit”
Brussels-Capital Region sets specific target to reduce animal testing

GAIA informs

20 October 2017

GAIA: ‘A first in Belgium, which brings hope for the tens of thousands of animals suffering in the laboratories of the Brussels region’
Where love for animals ends...

GAIA action

27 September 2017

Watch our new TV spot
86% of Belgians in favour of including animals in the Constitution

GAIA action

11 September 2017

GAIA considers that it’s high time that animal welfare, the appreciation of their dignity and interests, fundamental values in Belgian society, be recognised by the country’s highest institutions.
Neutering and spaying of pet cats is now mandatory in the Brussels-Capital Region

Achievement

14 July 2017

GAIA presents Bianca Debaets with a chocolate cat in celebration of the new law
An historic milestone: Flemish Parliament votes on the ban of ritual slaughter without stunning

Achievement

30 June 2017

GAIA offers chocolate sheep: “The fruits of 22 years of campaigning”
Over a million signatures against the long-distance transport of live animals

Achievement

20 June 2017

1.069.715 signatures: GAIA has just reached this landmark figure in its joint European campaign to end the suffering of nearly one billion poultry and 37 million cattle, equines, goats and sheep that are transported alive within the EU, as well as to Turkey and the Middle East.
25 years!

Event

13 June 2017

Since 1992, GAIA has been acting on behalf of animals and working tirelessly towards ever better protection for these living creatures, who can feel both pain and anguish.
Historic vote in Walloon Parliament

Achievement

17 May 2017

Michel Vandenbosch, President of GAIA: “This is a major day for animal welfare and for GAIA
Walloon parliament prepares to ban slaughter without stunning

Achievement

17 May 2017

GAIA offers chocolate sheep to Walloon Animal Welfare Minister and Members of Parliament
Neutering and spaying of cats will soon be mandatory in the Brussels Region

Achievement

12 May 2017

GAIA: “An excellent measure to prevent the overpopulation of abandoned kittens in animal shelters and the proliferation of stray cats!”
Wallonia takes an historic step towards a ban on slaughter without stunning

Achievement

05 May 2017

Michel Vandenbosch: Ladies and gentlemen, GAIA says “Bravo” and “Thank you on behalf of the animals!”
Quick bans battery eggs

Achievement

14 April 2017

"GAIA applauds this great advance in favour of the welfare of laying hens"
VUB’s action plan against further suffering of its lab animals is insufficient

GAIA informs

05 April 2017

Too many unanswered questions, and the university fails to give adequate guarantees to prevent a repetition of the scenario
Historic Agreement in Flanders to ban slaughter without stunning

GAIA informs

31 March 2017

Michel Vandenbosch: "For GAIA, this is the result of 25 years of activism. Hundreds of thousands of sheep and cattle will finally escape the unnecessary and avoidable suffering of having their throats cut while fully conscious."
Jean-Claude Van Damme and GAIA join forces for animal rights

GAIA informs

10 March 2017

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme - "the Muscles from Brussels" - and GAIA announce the start of a closer collaboration for animal welfare.
Ban on force-feeding in the Brussels-Capital region

Achievement

20 February 2017

GAIA: "A very strong message against the force-feeding of birds in foie gras production”
“Neuter your cat, save hundreds of lives”

GAIA action

17 January 2017

Bob the Street Cat gives furry high five to GAIA’s campaign for cat neutering
Jean-Claude Van Damme supports GAIA in heartwarming message!

Event

03 January 2017

Jean-Claude Van Damme sent us an inspiring and encouraging video with a touching message for all GAIA members and fans.
Domestic cat neutering mandatory in Wallonia, Belgium as from March 2017

Achievement

15 December 2016

GAIA: “We would like to thank the Walloon Government for this much needed, unprecedented and virtually unique law in the world that will help to prevent overpopulation and abandonment”
Undercover in the University Hospital, Jette Campus of the Free University of Brussels (VUB): GAIA reveals intolerable suffering of research animals

GAIA action

29 November 2016

“Brussels Animal Welfare Secretary of State Bianca Debaets needs to investigate the malpractices at the Animalarium of the VUB and suspend their licence to conduct animal experiments”
Constitutional court upholds legal ban on fur farming in Wallonia

Achievement

20 October 2016

“It's about time the Flemish government follows suit and prohibits fur farming in Flanders”
Fur Free Retailers in Belgium

GAIA informs

17 October 2016

You only want to wear labels who don’t use fur? You are so right! GAIA can help you find fashion that is guaranteed fur-free.
In honour of World Animal Day, GAIA calls for all animals to be protected by the Belgian Constitution

GAIA action

04 October 2016

On the occasion of World Animal Day on October 4th, GAIA has launched the idea that the dignity and welfare of animals be enshrined in the Belgian Constitution, as a fundamental duty.
“Have mercy!”

GAIA action

12 September 2016

GAIA’s surprise action against slaughter without stunning at the so-called “modular” slaughterhouse in Brussels set up for the Feast of Sacrifice
Slaughter without stunning: GAIA files a complaint with Unia

GAIA action

07 September 2016

GAIA filed a complaint to end the discrimination which grants criminal immunity for people of Muslim and Jewish faith to slaughter animals without stunning
GAIA Summer Tour ended, but not our fight

GAIA action

23 August 2016

"Pawtition" for a ban on experiments on dogs and cats
Ipsos-Meinungsumfrage: 91% der bevölkerung der Provinz Lüttich wollen die Tests auf Hunden un Katzen abgeschafft sehen

GAIA action

11 August 2016

Mit einer „Pattition“ vereint GAIA in ihrer Sommertournee Menschen und Haustiere im Kampf gegen Tierversuche in Laboratorien
New opinion poll: 85% of the Belgian population wants testing on dogs and cats banned

GAIA action

03 August 2016

"Pootitie/Pattition" at the heart of GAIA’s Summer Tour unites humans and their best friends against the use of dogs and cats as lab animals.
Good news for laying hens

Achievement

02 August 2016

The Belgian subsidiaries of Weight Watchers and Aldi have recently expressed their desire to source eggs from alternative farming methods (open air or free range), and have committed to ban the use of battery-laid eggs from their products.
Animal welfare Ministers support GAIA’s campaign against long-distance transport of animals

Achievement

28 July 2016

"The European Commission must act now by revising current regulations"
Fur retailer Pelsland goes bankrupt

19 July 2016

Veritable temple of fur in Belgium, Pelsland was declared bankrupt last month by the court of Antwerp.
The end of fur farming in Langemark!

Achievement

23 June 2016

Owner of fur farm in Langemark, West-Flanders, shuts down farm.
Peter Singer visits GAIA

Event

16 June 2016

The famous philosopher visited GAIA on the occasion of our 24th birthday!
"Pawtition" for a ban on experiments on dogs and cats

GAIA action

26 April 2016

New campaign for the World Day of Laboratory Animals: our pets want a revolution!
Following constructive dialogue with GAIA, the Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael opt for the ethical management of "surplus" animals

14 April 2016

From now on the Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael will apply a no kill policy regarding "surplus" animals.
Slaughter without stunning: GAIA reveals new images of violations of the law

GAIA informs

18 March 2016

"Stunning is the only way to minimize animal suffering"
New investigation into the shocking origin of horse meat in Belgian supermarkets

GAIA informs

08 March 2016

Animal rights organisation GAIA has published the overwhelming findings of a recent investigation conducted in Argentina and Uruguay on the trade in horse meat for export to the EU and Belgium.
GAIA and Pamela Anderson in Paris to protest against the force-feeding of ducks

GAIA informs

22 January 2016

Against the suffering of ducks and geese for the production of foie gras
Because even once a year is already too much

GAIA action

11 December 2015

A Christmas ad urging the public not to eat foie gras
Cambridge University exposes the effects of force-feeding

GAIA informs

04 December 2015

New report on the welfare of ducks in foie gras production
GAIA calls for a ban on fur farming in Flanders

GAIA action

25 November 2015

New images of animal suffering on Flemish fur farms
Quick, how much suffering do you expect us to swallow?

GAIA action

05 October 2015

For World Animal Day, opt for hen-friendly mayonnaise!
Slaughter without stunning: the Court of First Instance rules in favour of Ben Weyts

21 September 2015

The Flemish Court of First Instance in Brussels upheld the decision by the Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare, Ben Weyts, to ban slaughter without prior stunning on temporary sites as required by EU law.
There is blood on your “luxury” handbag!

GAIA action

09 September 2015

GAIA-activist protests as crocodile against animals suffering for Hermès
"We won't sweep animal suffering under the carpet!"

GAIA action

31 July 2015

Every year thousands of animals undergo painful tests in European labs for the development of … cleaning products. GAIA wants this to be prohibited.
GAIA’s 6 priorities for the end of animal testing in Belgium

GAIA informs

29 June 2015

Save animals from laboratories
GAIA launches TV advert against horsemeat from Argentina

GAIA action

25 June 2015

Major Belgian TV channels are broadcasting a new GAIA advert over the next two weeks denouncing the atrocious treatment Argentinean horses are subjected to before ending up on the plates of Belgian consumers.
Recent successes of our Boycot-cot campaign

Achievement

08 June 2015

Thanks to the staunch support of our members, GAIA's on-going campaign against battery cages for hens won a number of new victories in recent months, thereby sparing thousands of laying hens the misery of life in battery cages.
Can Aïd el Kébir lead to less animal suffering?

GAIA informs

01 June 2015

The answer’s right under our noses
Planckendael Zoo feeds “surplus” animals to the lions

GAIA informs

10 May 2015

*On April 17th, we learned that the Planckendael zoo, one of Belgium’s largest zoos, had killed three young, healthy animals (an oryx and two bison) and used them as food for the zoo’s resident carnivores. Planckendael called it “euthanasia.”
The ECEAE is calling the EU to “clean up cruelty”

GAIA action

01 May 2015

New pan-European campaign
The sterilisation of cats will soon be compulsory in Wallonia and Brussels

GAIA informs

23 April 2015

Wallonia’s Minister of Animal Welfare, Carlo di Antonio, will require as of 2017 that all cats in Wallonia must be sterilised or castrated. The Brussels-Capital Region will follow suit, according to Vice-Minister for Animal Welfare, Bianca Debaets.
Wallonia bans fur production

GAIA action

21 January 2015

GAIA offers chocolate to celebrate the new decree
Flemish mink farm denied expansion permit

GAIA informs

20 January 2015

GAIA blocks an authorization issued by Province of East Flanders
Start of proceedings to ban fur farms in the Brussels-Capital Region

GAIA informs

20 January 2015

GAIA welcomes the adoption on first reading yesterday by the Council of Ministers of the Brussels-Capital Region of a proposal to ban fur farms.
Walloon government bans fur farming

Achievement

23 October 2014

Today, the Walloon government adopted at first reading a draft decree prepared by the animal welfare Minister, Carlo Di Antonio to ban fur farming in Wallonia, one of the three federal regions in Belgium, as of 1st January 2015.

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