To the Romanian Members of the Parliament, voting on the current legislative procedure on stray dogs. With the Lisbon Treaty, Art. 13 TFEU, not only the EU institutions but also the Member States are obliged to consider in their policies the fact that animals are sentient beings. The latest legislative procedure in the Romanian Parliament, planning to permit again the arbitrary killing of healthy animals, is not following the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty nor the position of the European Parliament. Informed by several Animal Welfare Organizations amongst them Vier Pfoten/Four Paws and many others, we address you, our distinguished colleagues in the Romanian Parliament, regarding the upcoming next vote on the draft law on stray dogs. In the European Parliament all voting results regarding animal welfare have had a high consensus supporting the position that the Union and its Member States must pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals. The report of the European Parliament to the new Animal Welfare Strategy of the EU Commission was adopted with an overwhelming majority, confirming among other points to enlarge the scope of the EU Animal Welfare Strategy to the protection of companion animals. Considering this clear statement, we as representatives of the European citizens and as Members of the European Parliament politely and urgently ask the Romanian Parliament, to consider the position of the European Parliament, which also represents the Romanian people, and vote in the European spirit, based on your ethical responsibility and for the only sustainable solution, based on the WHO approach of catch neuter, release programmes. European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals Please find attached an appeal by the Animal Welfare Intergroup which will be signed by a number of MEPs and sent to Romanian MPs. With best regards, Andreas Erler, Secretariat of the Intergroup "Welfare and Conservation of Animals", 6, rue des Patriotes, B - 1000 Brussels www.animalwelfareintergroup.eu 10 March 2011
|