The Belgian Chamber of Representatives passed a law on Thursday night that enshrines animal welfare in the constitution, various Belgian media reported on Friday. The Senate previously voted in favor of the constitutional amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority. After Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Luxembourg, Belgium is the sixth European country to grant constitutional protection to animals.
The new constitution promises that Belgian governments will from now on “strive to protect and care for animals as sentient beings.”
The most important Belgian animal rights organization GAIA responded in response to a “historic breakthrough”. The change in the law is not merely of symbolic value, but it says it will “concretely contribute” to the protection of animals in Belgium because animal welfare now has more legal weight than before. “In addition, the inclusion of animals and their welfare in the constitution will encourage the legislature and executive to adopt laws to improve animal protection.”
Opponents, including the Flemish liberals and the Christian Democrats, expressed their concerns that the change will hinder agricultural permits. In addition, they fear that the constitutional amendment will cause hunters, livestock markets and fishermen into legal problems.
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Tags: Belgian Chamber passes law enshrines animal welfare constitution
