THE European Union has officially recognised that animals have feelings.
Changes to the EU鈥檚 basic treaties agreed in Amsterdam this month include a
protocol, requested by Britain, requiring EU rules on agriculture, trade,
transport and scientific research to 鈥減ay full regard to the welfare
requirements of animals鈥� as 鈥渟entient beings鈥�.
The main effect of the new wording may be on the transport of farm animals
for slaughter. Peter Stevenson of the British animal rights group Compassion in
World Farming says that the previous classification of animals as 鈥済oods鈥� meant
that rules on free trade could be used to block stricter welfare standards.
But Stevenson admits that a similar definition under French law has not
produced major gains in animal welfare.
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