Puppies, kittens and wild animals
Among the most troubling measures is the creation of a new “dealer” status for sellers of dogs and cats. Such a move would effectively rule out any future ban on the importation of puppies and kittens, even though this trade is known to fuel serious abuses and massive animal suffering.
Along the same lines, the text opens the door for pet shops to act as intermediaries in the sale of wild animals not included on the positive list, thereby weakening a key preventive principle.
Less oversight of mutilating practices
The draft also weakens oversight mechanisms. It provides for looser monitoring of practices that are nonetheless strictly regulated: tail docking in draft horses and ear cropping in dogs. By removing the obligation to notify the authorities, the public authorities’ ability to monitor, verify and sanction these practices is reduced.
Seized animals… sent back into exploitation?
Another major concern is the creation of a status that would allow authorities to place animals seized for abuse with breeders or fatteners. This creates an obvious risk: animals that have suffered violence could be sent back into systems of exploitation, or even to slaughter, instead of being taken in under a framework of protection and rehabilitation.
The great omissions: fur, kangaroo, rodeos, broiler chickens…
At the same time, several crucial issues are entirely absent from the text:
These are all major, well-documented and long-awaited issues, yet they have simply been left out.
“Positive measures” too vague to be credible
Some elements presented as “positive” are also vague and insufficiently detailed. The clearest example concerns home slaughter: a ban is announced, yet an exemption remains for “professionals” — without any clear definition of who qualifies as such. A serious reform cannot be built on grey areas.
A reform without genuine consultation
The organisations also criticise the working methods of Walloon Minister for Animal Welfare Adrien Dolimont (MR), which they consider deeply problematic. Animal protection organisations were informed on Tuesday of the content of the provisions in the text, without any real prior consultation. Moreover, the associations condemn the minister’s attitude, accusing him of calling them liars in an attempt to justify his political choices.
