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'With such a substantial increase in the penalties for animal cruelty, Flanders is significantly making up for lost time': GAIA’s President Michel Vandenbosch welcomed the Flemish government's decision at the initiative of the Minister of Animal Welfare, Ben Weyts, who announced the measures. GAIA has also insisted on this. Minister Weyts announced much stricter punishments for citizens and companies who mistreat or neglect animals. Animal abusers can be imprisoned for up to 5 years or even 10 years in case of repeat offenders. 'The Minister of Animal Welfare could hardly send an even stronger signal to the judicial authorities and to society as a whole that animal abuse must not be taken lightly', emphasises Michel Vandenbosch.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Brussels-Capital Region approved the first reading of a draft proposal to ban breeding, selling and keeping hybrid cats and the ‘Fold’ cats.
"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.
"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"
Michel Vandenbosch: "Slaughter without stunning in temporary slaughterhouses was, is and will remain illegal"
A measure we have been urging for a long time, which will save thousands of cats from being abandoned in shelters
GAIA presents Bianca Debaets with a chocolate cat in celebration of the new law
GAIA offers chocolate sheep: “The fruits of 22 years of campaigning”
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.
Michel Vandenbosch, President of GAIA: “This is a major day for animal welfare and for GAIA
GAIA offers chocolate sheep to Walloon Animal Welfare Minister and Members of Parliament
GAIA: “An excellent measure to prevent the overpopulation of abandoned kittens in animal shelters and the proliferation of stray cats!”
Michel Vandenbosch: Ladies and gentlemen, GAIA says “Bravo” and “Thank you on behalf of the animals!”
"GAIA applauds this great advance in favour of the welfare of laying hens"
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."
