International Animal Rights Day is December 10. It is celebrated every year by animal rights associations.
What is International Animal Rights Day?
It pays homage to animals mistreated, tortured and killed, for example in certain research laboratories. All those who support them meet in silence at the scene of their abuse.
Why December 10?
This date was chosen because it coincides with that of the celebration of Human Rights. She denounces « hypocrisy » which does not recognize the fundamental rights of animals: the right to life, liberty and natural development.
It initiates a public debate on the way animals are treated. Its goal is the international recognition of their fundamental rights not to be exploited. We created this day to denounce the exploitation of animals by humans, whatever the goal.
Animal testing can save human lives
The laboratory animal can test the effectiveness of a drug and save many lives. More and more researchers are hostile to this process, some results not being reliable. Is there another way besides animal experiments? This is why many associations are fighting against this phenomenon such as Antidote Europe or L214.
Antidote Europe
It is an association for responsible science that works for better prevention in human health. It informs about the danger of using data from animal experiments. She promotes more modern and reliable methods, especially in her area of expertise in toxicology.
On November 17, 2020, Antidote Europe sent an open letter to the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Frédérique Vidal. This letter warned about the reproduction of dogs used in research on myopathy. « For over 30 years, no conclusive results have been published, no one has cured myopathy. Yet dogs continue to be the guinea pigs of
this research which makes them undergo a life of suffering and a premature death. By virtue of
animal ethics, it is high time to stop subjecting these dogs to such cruel and unnecessary experiments. «
The association affirms that it would be possible to combine French health and well-being
animals, while advancing and completing research against myopathy.
« Fighting myopathy is also not to inflict this disease willfully on dogs. »
Association L214
214 Ethics & Animals is a 1908 law association focused on animals used in food production (meat, milk, eggs, fish), and revealing their conditions of breeding, transport, fishing and slaughter.
The 3 complementary axes of L214
Report on the reality of the most widespread practices through information and awareness campaigns. Sanction illegal practices through legal action.
Demonstrate the negative impact of the consumption of animal products (terrestrial or aquatic) and propose alternatives.
Public debate on the animal condition, speciesism (mistreatment and exploitation of animals). Demand for stopping the consumption of animals and other practices that harm them.
The name of the association refers to article L214 of the rural code which for the first time in 1976 designates animals as sentient beings.
L214 campaigns
L214 organizes filmed surveys in the field, it collects the testimony of certain professionals. She also studies scientific or professional publications but also regulatory texts. They are aimed at the force-feeding of geese and ducks as well as the conditions of slaughter and breeding, including the mutilation of horses, hunting, venery, circus animals and zoos. Its other field of action is veganism or veganism by not consuming any product of animal origin (meat, fish, insects, dairy products, eggs and honey). Products from animals, their exploitation or tested on them are also banned.
Social networks
Many associations use social networks such as Clic Animaux, which appeals to readers for petitions or fundraising to help injured or mistreated animals.
EDS has proposed an animal welfare law
A new political entity was born in May 2020: « Ecologie Démocratie Solidarité » (EDS). It is the basis of the proposed law on animal welfare.
This new party brought together 17 elected Macronists who want to « work for a world after the coronavirus crisis ». Among them are Matthieu Orphelin, close to Nicolas Hulot, but also Cédric Villani and the former PS Minister for Ecology Delphine Batho.
The EDS bill
The National Assembly debated the bill on October 1, 2020. It was presented to defend ethical breeding, socially just and concerned with animal welfare. His articles are:
- Ethical and transparent slaughter
- Supervision of slaughter and pig farming
- Regulation of animal transport
- Supervision of poultry breeding and slaughter
- Access to the outdoors for animals
- Supervision of rabbit breeding
- Moratorium on intensive breeding
Barbara Pompili, Minister for the Ecological Transition made announcements in favor of captive wildlife. This concerns dolphinariums, circuses and traveling shows, mink farms and zoos. Certain practices that generate suffering in animals could gradually disappear.
The purpose of this law
On October 8, LREM-EDS deputies including Cédric Villani, Matthieu Orphelin or Paula Forteza, presented a bill on animal welfare. The National Assembly examined it in committee.
The fight against animal suffering is entering new scientific studies. It is based on animal behavior and its sensitive faculties, on the balance of ecosystems. Philosophers, associations, professional federations, unions and breeders have worked together.
The FIFG survey
In August 2020, the FIFG carried out a survey which showed:
- 2/3 of French people want better consideration of animal welfare. Otherwise:
- 82% of French people say they are in favor of banning cage farming within 5 years
- 91% are for the obligation of exterior access for all farm animals
- 82% say they are against hunting with hounds
The PPL Animaux provides support and financial support to the economic players concerned. A flexible calendar of actions and the creation of a support fund for farmers are on the program.
« This proposal is neither aimed at prohibiting hunting, nor at prohibiting breeding. It wishes to put an end to the most cruel practices and to consolidate France in its status of great nation of breeding and agriculture, highlighting its quality , its respect for the environment and the competitiveness of its breeders « , declared Cédric Villani.
This bill has economic and ethical objectives. It gives more to breeders with an increase in the range of products from breeding. and allow. The transition fund helps their development towards an activity more respectful of animal welfare.
Socially, she wants to respond to the dietary changes of the French and the demand for a diet more sober in meat but of better quality. In addition, it improves the quality of working conditions for breeders.
At the ecological level, its aim is to reduce pollution and the environmental footprint linked to these activities, and to preserve biodiversity and endangered species.
Failure to vote on the law
On October 12, the National Assembly rejected the PPL Animals following only 2 hours of debates to defend it. The deputies were only able to examine 5 to 6% of the text. LR and UDI deputies having slowed down the debates following parliamentary maneuvers.
« It’s a missed appointment. Part of the hemicycle did everything to undermine this bill for the benefit of various interests. From this point of view, they fulfilled their mission well » declared Cédric Villani, very disappointed with the result.
Personalities regrets
Some deputies deplored the burial of the PPL Animals due to poor debate conditions and multiple obstructions. Pascal Durand (EELV), but also Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Agir), however, underlined a slight progress on the theme of the animal condition. « Our society must progress on animal welfare » .. « Animal welfare must be part of the sustainable transformation of our modes of production and consumption » added the latter.
The text put back on the political agenda
The Ministry of Ecological Transition has promised to put the text back on the political agenda following the request of Cédric Villani. « We will be committed to ensuring that the debate takes place in this forum », promised the Secretary of State for Biodiversity « , promised Bérangère Abba, Secretary of State for Biodiversity. This parliamentary failure » does not change the announcements by Barbara Pompili, regarding the banning of wild animals in circuses, the breeding of killer whales and dolphins in dolphinariums and the breeding of mink for their fur.
Niche animal associations
Despite this rejection in the hemicycle, several associations including « 30 million friends » carry the Shared Initiative Referendum (RIP) of Friends, at the center of public debate to bring animal welfare back to the heart of decisions policies.
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