Animal Law News

Catalonian parliament bans bullfighting from January 2012

The Catalonian parliament voted to ban bullfighting in an emotional session packed full of deputies, activists and observers.Sixty-eight deputies voted in favour of the ban; 55 were opposed.

During the debate, deputies in parliament heard very different views - as parties that back...more >>

Official Control and Food Hygiene Legislation in the European Union

Early EU hygiene legislation was developed as part of the controls of animal production and is often termed 'veterinary legislation'. Following the BSE crisis and the adoption of a more unified structure within the European Commission with the creation of DG Health and Consumer Protection, there...more >>

EU Solicits Views on Animal Welfare Policy

The European Commission has commissioned an evaluation of EU Policy on Animal Welfare (EUPAW) with reference to farm animals, experimental animals, pet animals and wild animals which are kept in captivity or submitted to a treatment which is controlled by humans.

Stakeholders have...more >>

Banning the use of antibiotics as growth enhancers in livestock (USA)

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee held a hearing Wednesday for a bill that seeks to ban the use of antibiotics as growth enhancers in livestock animals, an issue that has spurred a debate between livestock groups and public health officials. The proposals grew out of concerns...more >>

Poultry welfare will further improve

Keeping layers in cages and broilers in densely populated houses has become a common practice. Meanwhile, however, concern over bird welfare has also increased, based on scientific knowledge and public perception. Europe, in particular, has taken the lead to improve poultry welfare. This is...more >>

Animal Welfare = Trade Issue

Farmers should be prepared to have animal welfare become a more significant factor in accessing international markets.

"Animal welfare in trade is a growing area," says Dr. Ed Pajor, animal welfare professor at the University of Calgary. "It's definitely on the horizon and...more >>

Arizona, Minnesota Add Pets to Domestic Violence Laws

In 2010, Arizona and Minnesota became the 16th and 17th states to enact laws encouraging judges to include pets in domestic violence protection orders.

Arizona’s new law - incorporated into omnibus Senate Bill 1266 and signed into law on May 7 - encourages pets to be included in...more >>

Bizarre legal offences (United Kingdom)

Spotting a grey squirrel in your back garden might seem like a stroke of luck to any nature lover – but if it happens to you, you may be a step away from breaking the law. Failing to report grey squirrels in your garden, it turns out, is illegal. So is being drunk in charge of a cow....more >>

New Zealand Vets Urged to Adopt Mandatory Abuse Reporting

Ian Robertson, a New Zealand veterinarian and lawyer specializing in animal law, wrote a peer-reviewed commentary that considers the responsibilities of veterinarians to report suspected abuse of both animals and people. Robertson suggests that veterinarians adopt a policy of mandatory reporting...more >>

The link between human-animal relationships

"The Link" addresses the negative aspects of human-animal relationships - the connection between violence to people and violence to animals.

To get regular updates and related information regarding The Link go to ...more >>